THE 12 BEST ALBUMS OF 2018

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.

Read my post on the album here.

2. Ivar Bjørnson & Einar Selvik – Hugsjá

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.

Read my post on the album here.

3. Marduk - Viktoria

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.

Read my post on the album here.

4. Wardruna - Skald

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

Read my post on the album here.

5. Djevel - Blant Svarte Graner

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.

Read my post on the album here.

6. Behemoth - I Loved You At Your Darkest

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!




Read my post on the album here.

7. Summoning - With Doom We Come

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.

Read my post on the album here.

8. Unanimated - Annihilation

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. 

Read my post on the EP here.

9. Craft - White Noise And Black Metal

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. 

Read my post on the album here.

10. Immortal - Northern Chaos Gods

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.



Read my post on the album here.

11. Necrophobic - Mark Of The Necrogram

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.

Read my post on the album here.

12. Abigor- Höllenzwang (Chronicles of Perdition)

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.

Read my post on the album here.

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.

25th ANNIVERSARY FOR SO MANY ALBUMS THIS YEAR....

Instead of me doing a post each time an album turns 25 years I'll do the MOST significant records in one post alone. Well I might do a separate post in December for The Somberlain because of the path that album lead me to in 1994.

There's so many albums that I will just focus on my 9 favorites. I also disqualified compilations and live records which I usually do anyway for these kind of posts. So no Live In Leipzig by Mayhem that one was also recorded in 1990 and was circled around in the scene long before its official LP release in 1993. I'll save that one for a separate post.

This isn't a list of my top-9 albums in some particular order, sure some records are better then others, but to list them all would be too much of a hassle. So in NO PARTICULAR order the best Black Metal and Death Metal albums of 1993:

Dissection - The Somberlain

Okay already breaking my word but out of these 9 it's the best album that I can say for a fact. Usually I will say that I prefer Storm of the Light's Bane (1995) but whenever I hear The Somberlain all the memories of this one comes back. It's so perfect is the only word that can describe it.

I know this album inside out, can probably hear just 2 seconds of any song at any moment and know immediately what song it is. I listened to this one so much in my young teenage room and while drinking beer with friends to this day. Also remembering having it on repeat while reading all of The Lord of the Rings and Tolkien's other books.

Morbid Angel - Covenant

I love the Altars Of Madness; Blessed Are The Sick; Domination and Abominations Of Desolation records but Covenant is without any doubt my favorite Morbid Angel album. It's also my favorite Death Metal record of all time. Sure that The Somberlain had much Death Metal influences but that one I associate more with the Black Metal scene.

Anyway with Covenant I think the band made their best one all songs are amazing. The order those songs are placed on the record is also perfected from the fast opening Rapture until the end with God of Emptiness one gets onto a journey of Death Metal supreme. I could talk about every song here but I got so much more to write about.

Burzum - Det Som Engang Var

Once I fully understood this albums awesomeness it became a 10 out of 10 album. Recently did a long post about this record. This have become my go to album in the Burzum discography during the last couple of years, sure Filosofem (1996) is better, but this one is still a great genre defying record.

 Marduk - Those of the Unlight

The 2nd Marduk album is also my 2nd favorite Marduk album of all time and was the 2nd Marduk release I ever bought. It's very different from the debut Dark Endless (1992) and the followup Opus Nocturne (1994). I just think that Those of the Unlight sounds like a very unique record in their vast discography. No other album sounds like it in the entire Marduk catalog, sure every record has it own sound but this one is very special.

The first Marduk longsleeve I ever bought was actually a Those of the Unlight shirt. With "Death To Peace" and "War At Last" on the sleeves, on the back the dragon that can be seen inside the original CD booklet and the text written on the last page.

Dismember - Indecent And Obscene

Not as good as the Dismember debut album Like An Everflowing Stream (1991) but still a brilliant Death Metal album. Have probably listened to this one as much as the debut. Actually put Indecent And Obscene at number 9 of my best Death Metal albums of all time and I still think it was a right decision made months ago.

The band had really progressed since the 2 years since their debut album at the time I did actually prefer Clandestine (1991) by Entombed. That's still a great a record but a couple of months after the release of Indecent And Obscene my opinion changed and Dismember became my favorite band.

Immortal - Pure Holocaust

My favorite album by Immortal. At the time and already as early as on their 2nd album it's so very amazingly refined. The sound, the structure of the songs and the lyrics are all so brilliant. If I was to introduce anyone what Black Metal is I would probably choose this one and about 3-4 more.

Not saying that Pure Holocaust is in my top-4 Black Metal albums but if I ever made such a list it would rank high.

Darkthorne - Under A Funeral Moon

Another amazing release and a timeless classic in the genre, however not my favorite Darkthrone record. Still in my top-3 of their albums though. If I remember correctly it was the fourth album by Darkthrone I bought (maybe third) sometime in the mid 90's.

I was such a big fan of everything that Fenriz was associated with back then, I still am, but back then I wanted every record he ever appeared on it was how I discovered many great albums. But about Under A Funeral Moon it is so great that I cannot even pick out any favorite songs because they are all amazing.

Emperor - Emperor EP

I was a huge fan of Emperor in the 90's (still am) but getting a hold of the Emperor/Enslaved split CD on Candlelight Records wasn't easy in the mid 90's. Believe it was during a Stockholm trip it was bought or if I mail ordered it, not certain though. All 4 songs appears on the In The Nightside Eclipse (1994) album and I had heard those to death so this was a great find when I finally got it.

Some prefer the Emperor EP versions of the songs. Myself like the album versions better might be much thanks to the nostalgia I got for In The Nightside Eclipse which were the first album from the Norwegian Black Metal scene that I ever bought. A brilliant 20 min Black Metal EP that everyone should own.

Enslaved - Hordanes Land EP

The first Enslaved album I bought was Frost (1994) actually the Emperor/Enslaved split CD was bought much thanks to Emperor. But to get the Hordanes Land EP  was a great bonus and it was played as much as the Emperor EP. One definitely gets one's money's worth with that split release just Hordanes Land alone is almost 31 min long.

I can never figure out which one is my favorite Enslaved release sometimes it's Frost (1994) then again Vikingligr Veldi (1994) is also amazing and whenever I listen too Eld (1997) I'm reminded how awesome that one is. Maybe Hordanes Land is my favorite after all?


There are MANY honorable mentions!! However non mentioned non forgotten. Could've done a part II or my 20 favorites and I'm already breaking my promise... Both Unanimated and Carcass were almost included. But for Instagram posts the symmetry is better with 9 where I usually post all the stuff you see here. Many of the albums I didn't buy on CD back in 1993 because I was more into the Death and Thrash Metal scene at the time. 

Dismember, Morbid Angel, Slayer, Entombed, Kreator and Unleashed were probably my favorite bands at the time many of these was released. But all that changed when I found out about Dissection and the masterful The Somberlain (yeah I know Metal of Death). It was thanks too that I started getting an interest for the Scandinavian Black Metal scene.

Anyway that was my favorite 9 releases of 1993. It's most for fun I do these posts and opinions can always change, but did list about a month ago and I still stand behind the choices I made.

IMMORTAL - NORTHERN CHAOS GODS (2018)

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 they would 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.

RANKING ALL 8 IMMORTAL ALBUMS & THEIR FUTURE

Like the title says I'll be ranking all the 8 albums by Immortal released thus far. After discovering the Norwegian and Swedish Black Metal scene in 1994 they were the 4th band I started to listen to after Dissection (Metal of Death, yeah I know...), Emperor and Marduk. 

Immortal are one of the most important bands in the genre I think. They surely attracted many people to the scene with their own unique Black Metal sound. Enter The Eternal Fire from the timeless classic Under The Sign Of The Black Mark (1987) by Bathory certainly inspired them especially for Battles In The North and the later records.

The new Immortal song was just released, the title track from their new album Northern Chaos Gods. It will mark a new dawn in the Immortal saga. But first let's all remember their glorious past. Black Metal excellence of the finest sort that was crafted by a legendary band.

Note that I don't include the live CD & DVD The Seventh Date of Blashyrkh (2010). Because it doesn't fill my criteria for a list of their full length albums, it's the same reason I would never include a compilation album neither.

All of these records are great I want to state at first. Some amazing, some excellent, some of them are masterpieces. I made this list many months ago and really put much time into it. Didn't slop together something during a coffee break at work.

This is my opinion of what I consider to be the best Immortal albums ranked from "worst" to best:

8. All Shall Fall (2009)

It was pretty easy to pick out my least favorite. This was the first Immortal album in 7 years after the band had its break between 2003-06, they had also recruited Apollyon (Aura Noir etc.) on bass. The album starts of really strong with the best song on this album the title track All Shall Fall.

I really liked that Immortal used this as the live opener on some occasions, it's a very fitting song to start of a concert with, as they did many times on their last tour with Abbath. The band recorded the album in both Greighallen and Abyss Studios. I think they got a good sound it's better then average but for me I would've preferred a more raw and unfiltered sound.

Other outstanding tracks are the last one on the record Unearthly Kingdom and also Norden On Fire the other songs are good, but not on par with Immortal can preform so it's somewhat uneven. Some of the guitar solos by Abbath are not great in my opinion one certainly miss Demonaz on this record...

7. Damned In Black (2000)

I have to admit that when I heard this for the first time I hated it. Just released 13 months after their masterpiece At The Heart of Winter I was so disappointed.

Like we did back in those days I would listen to the album at the record store with headphones before deciding to buy it (at least me I didn't dabble with MP3's). After a couple of songs I had enough and didn't buy it.

The production sounded so weak in my ears and the songs weren't even close to its predecessor. But I gave the album another chance after some time and I discovered that indeed there was some great songs on the record like Triumph; Wrath From Above; Damned In Black etc. and got the album on a digipack CD something I always was a sucker for back in the day. I still think the production sounds weak compared to the rest of their discography.

Also something I think is worth mentioning is that ever since Demonaz had to quit playing guitar in Immortal is that the albums became longer. But out of the 4 with Abbath on guitar this one clocks in at 36 min 43 sec making it the shortest one of those 4.

All the 4 first albums was shorter than Damned In Black while Sons of Northern Darkness is over 50 min making it their longest record and "Blizzard Beasts" the shortest 28 min 56 sec.

6. Sons of Northern Darkness (2002)

For the third time the band worked with Peter Tägtgren. The production between this and it's predecessor is night and day because it sounds great. Also lots of great songs like One By One; Tyrants; Sons of Northern Darkness; Beyond the North Waves and In My Kingdom Cold.

It felt like the Immortal were back in great form and some great Abbath riffs on this one. Even if as a whole the album is a bit uneven in terms of its material.

They toured extensively for this record and in 2003 they decided to quit Immortal due to "personal reasons". However Abbath & Demonaz hooked up with former drummer Armagedda and started the band simply called I and released an album called Between Two Worlds (2006) that had a more Heavy Metal direction. It's a good album but not close to anything Immortal produced.

Just a couple of months after that release Immortal had reformed and played the Inferno Festival in Norway in April of 2007 a bunch of festivals in Europe that summer and some North American dates.

5. Blizzard Beasts (1997)

For this one the band had found a permanent drummer at last with Horgh. The first time I heard anything from this record was the song Mountains of Might and it's still my favorite song on Blizzard Beasts album.

I can't remember if it was on an compilation album that came with a magazine or something a friend had? Know that it appears on the Century Media compilation Feuersturm from 1997 remember borrowing the CD from a friend. It had Darkthrone, Dissection, Arcturus, Emperor, Satyricon, Mayhem etc. just to name a few bands on that double CD with 26 different artists.

Blizzard Beasts took awhile for me to fully appreciate and I hesitated to buy it. Also the fact that I was 17 years old and needed money for beer and other records... The main complaint about the album is usually the production.

It still sounds very much Black Metal but compared to their 2 previous records it has this "muddy sound" (not primitive necro) too it. That's the best way I can explain it but I wouldn't change anything on it. Also you can hear some Morbid Angel "influences" on this one.

They chose not to record in Grieghallen where they had recorded their 3 previous records, but instead worked in the Sigma Recording Studio with producer Henrikke Helland.

The great songs shows what an amazing album this is, Nebular Ravens Winter great title by the way, was the 2nd song I really liked at first I bought the CD. Others are Battlefields: Noctambulant  and Frostdemonstorm but also the rest songs for that matter.

4. Diabolical Fullmoon Mysticism (1992)

The great classic debut released in July of 1992 and one of the first official records to be released in the Norwegian Black Metal scene after Deathcruch; A Blaze In The Northern Sky and Burzum.

Just like Varg Vikernes did with Burzum also Immortal chose to record this record with Eirik "Pytten" Hundvin in Grieghallen that many other bands did during those days like Mayhem, Emperor, Enslaved etc. It has this great grim, cold and primitive sound to it and Immortal really had a sound of their own it wasn't perfected on this album yet but they came close. It's also the only full length album with Armagedda as their drummer.

The band had already put out an 7" vinyl simply called "Immortal" in 1991 and 2 tracks from that release is on this record Unholy Forces of Evil and The Cold Winds of Funeral Frost. The band made a video for the song The Call of the Wintermoon. Amazing song but the video is very isn't very good.

I don't remember even seeing that promo video on European MTV Headbanger's Ball at the time and I'm glad that wasn't my first experience with the Black Metal genre. At the time I was into Thrash Metal (Slayer, Kreator, Sepultura etc.) and Death Metal (Entombed, Dismember, Morbid Angel etc.) and would have wondered what the fuck is this what Black Metal is supposed to be like.

Now I'm glad it exists and it's not the worst Black Metal video I've ever seen I just say Lilith's Em.....

Anyway I think that "Diabolical Fullmoon Mysticism" should be in every ones collection if you're into Norwegian Black Metal not just because it's one of the first records released in the scene but also the fact it's also an excellent album.

3. At The Heart of Winter (1999)

The first record without Demonaz on guitar due to his illness severe tendinitis in his arms that prevented him to play the guitar. Abbath then singer & bassist took over the role as the guitarist in Immortal, however Demonaz continued with the band to write all the lyrics and occasionally work as the bands manager.

This is also the first time the band worked with Peter Tägtgren in the Abyss Studios. Another first was not to have the band on the front cover art of the album. With all these changes one would probably think Immortal would fail, but they didn't.

Instead they made an amazing album some have it as their favorite Immortal album and when it was released I was also one of those people.

Some might think nostalgia is why this isn't my number 1 Immortal record, but no that's not the case. When it was fresh and new it was amazing it still is, but the other records are better in the long run in my opinion.

2. Battles in the North (1994)

I think everything about this record is excellent from the whole white concept of the albums artwork, production, performance, songs, lyrics. A true masterpiece of Norwegian Black Metal scene.

I never heard Immortal say this is a "concept album" but in my eyes this the "Blashyrkh" peak of the band. It wasn't as present on Pure Holocaust or Diabolical Fullmoon Mysticism but here they go all out and one truly believes in this imaginary world.

There's nothing I would change on this record it's pure perfection I could mention songs like my favorite Cursed Realms Of The Winterdemons, the 2 that got promo videos Grim and Frostbitten Kingdoms and Blashyrkh (Mighty Ravendark).

Both were released on the VHS Masters of Nebulah Frost (1995). It has Hellhammer from Mayhem, Arcturus etc on the Grim and Frostbitten Kingdoms video, where he looks completly out of place. He was a member in Immortal for a short while in 1995 but it's actually Abbath who plays drums on the whole Battles In The North album.

Oh yes more songs to mention Battles in the North; Circling Above in Time Before Time I could go on but trust me the whole album is meant to be enjoyed from start to finish.

This record is mandatory to have in your collection! Like the next one and the at least the two albums previous on this list.

1. Pure Holocaust (1993)

The first Immortal album I ever got on CD back in the day. If I only got to listen to one Immortal record for the rest of my life it would be this masterpiece I never grow tired of it and still to this day whenever I throw it on it amazes me.

It's very different from their followup album Battles in the North, it's more connected to their debut Diabolical Fullmoon Mysticism but still a HUGE progression of their sound.

Although Erik "Grim" Brødreskift (1969-1999) is credited as their drummer, Abbath was the one pounding the skins on Pure Holocaust.

I could go on and on about its excellence but instead of reading this if you haven't heard the record stop reading and get yourself a copy. Preferably on vinyl and enjoy the 8 all brilliant tracks in approx 34 minutes of "Holocaust Metal" as Immortal called their music at the time.


Now for the future. I hadn’t pre-ordered the "Northern Chaos Gods" vinyl or the 7" until I heard the new song. I’ll admit I was very pessimistic about the whole thing, from when I first heard about Horgh and Demonaz continuing on with Immortal after Abbath's depature. Still I was very eager to hear it just because of Demonaz playing guitar once again.

The song blew me fucking away. Fast, aggressive, crushing and those amazing guitars!! It was so rewarding to hear a Demonaz solo on a Immortal song once again after 21 year. But most important they sound hungry and out for bloody vengeance.

However I will say that the vocals isn’t perfect, they are very distorted and way different from the vocals on March of the Norse album by Demonaz but that wouldn't have fit on a Immortal record anyway. That's my main gripe with the song but I'll do with those vocals. I've heard MANY worse vocal performances during my years.

I’m very optimistic about the Northern Chaos Gods album but still keep my expectations low. But if the album sounds anything like this song I’ll be very happy man on the 6th of July. Their future looks very interesting to say the least.


Update May 19th 2019
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Well after owning the Northern Chaos Gods album for 10 months now I have to say the result were beyond all expectations. I think that Demonaz vocals fits very fine with the Immortal sound.

I would place this at number 6 just after Blizzard Beasts and definitely before Sons Of Northern Darkness it's that great and a must have in a Black Metal collection.

Just wish Demonaz and Horgh will play live! Would really like to hear both how the old songs would sound with another vocalist and also the new material. Do know that his injury disabled him from live performances and doing vocals at the same time would probably be difficult.

Haven't heard anything about them performing live and I wouldn't like to have another guitarist in Immortal now and Demonaz just doing vocals.

But I don't want him just to play guitar probably sitting down with some hired vocalist. Okay if they got my favorite Black Metal vocalist of all time Mortuus/Arioch from Marduk and Funeral Mist to fill the live role I would for sure watch it!

We will just have to wait and see whatever the future brings but another album I would buy without any hesitation. In the meanwhile Northern Chaos Gods still fills my Immoral needs for now.

Jon Nödtveidt article from 1994 English translation

This Jon Nödtveidt written article was originally published in the June/July issue of the Swedish magazine Metal Zone #5 in 1994. This article was in a section of the magazine that was called the “Extreme Zone” and that made me aware of many “new” bands (for me at least) at the time like Nifelheim, Ophthalamia, Marduk, Immortal, Einherjer, Opeth, etc.

Hell this article is the reason why I got into Nifelheim! It made me search/hunt for a CD copy of the excellent A Journey In Darkness (1994) by Ophthalamia for years... This even made me buy, without listening to it first, the first and only Opeth album that I own Orchid (1995). Don't get me wrong it's a great album but I lost interest in them after that.

Looking back Metal Zone was an alright magazine, but the path it lead me into and the contribution by Jon Nödtveidt and Ole Öhman made it worth way more then my money when I was 14 years old. I got every issue except for #3 back then (still looking for it).

The magazine was heavily focused on "regular" Heavy Metal, grunge and AOR crap, this issue had Alice Cooper and Stone Temple Pilots on the cover had on articles with Clawfinger, Pride And Glory, Gilby Clarke, Benediction and Napalm Death 

More important a Bathory one. Jon Nödtveidt interview Quorthon for his solo album called just Album (1994) but Jon focused very much on the whole history of Bathory it's greatly written.

If you want an English translation it's included in Slayer Mag X. If you don't want to hunt for that issue it's of course included in the amazing book Metalion: The Slayer Mag Diaries from 2011 can't recommend that book enough it's a must have for anyone interested in great music.

Equally as important as the "Extreme Zone" and the Bathory article in this issue was a Dissection interview with Jon Nödtveidt (read a English translation here) it  Also the Emperor interview done by Jon. It made me buy In The Nightside Eclipse (1994) that same year, actually it was the very first Norwegian Black Metal album I bought. See an English translation I did over here.

I can say that it was thanks to Jon Nödtveidt that I discovered MANY bands in 1994.

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Article written by Jon Nödtveidt published in 1994 originally in the Swedish magazine Metal Zone #5 of June/July.

Translated by @herr_black_metal on Instagram

www.herrblackmetal.blogspot.se

Extreme Zone

A guide to the underground

Welcome honored death-heads! Extreme Zone is back now on a bit larger scale than before. We will of course continue our strive to make these Devilish pages expand even more so we don’t totally choke on all the pussy-rock, AOR (or whatever it’s called) that this magazine is filled to the brim with otherwise. We need all the support we can get and we want to know what you as readers viewpoint, so write and state your opinion! All critique, positive or negative, is necessary for the development of Extreme Zone to make it as strong and satisfying as possible. Every extreme Death, Thrash, Black Metal band grab your senses and immediately send your demo tapes, albums (+ preferably with photos and info) or whatever it might be, to get an honest review. This time we have also chosen to include some reviews of fanzines and we will continue to do so if there’s an interest and depending on what we’ll get. So every fanzine editor that want to give your zine some publicity, send us your creations!

First out this time is EINHERJER from Norway with their demo “Aurora Borealis”. Einherjer plays according to them they play epic Viking Metal and the description is more than fitting because of the Norse music atmosphere. Despite the fact that Einherjer does have a pretty own sound it’s mixed with some influences from the two latest Bathory albums and also a whole lot of Black Metal. Of the demos four tracks it’s the last song, “Einherjer” that distinguish itself most with its dark mood. Also the opening song “De Sorte Sjoers Land” is very good. The singing varies mostly from traditional raw to “regular” so to speak. Quite tiresome in the long run, but at some moments very recommendable. “Aurora Borealis” can be ordered for 30 NKR.

Here are a couple of guys that apparently have been listening too much to Deicide and Cannibal Corpse. LEGION from Kiruna delivers a tight and well played Death Metal, but sadly with none sort of originality. One actually begins to think if they strive to sound as standard American as possible. This is Legion’s second demo and because of the fact it’s no treat I hope for the sake of the band they will pull themselves together and put them in some sort of creative approach. If this had been recorded 5-6 years ago it would be on a whole other level.

Once again we heed to our neighbors in the west. HADES is one of the more new Norwegian bands and has accomplished to create a nice debut demo. “Alone Walkyng”, is the title and consists of three songs in heavy Black Metal spirit. “Unholy Congregation”, “Hecate (Queen of Hades) (absolute best of the three) and the titletrack “Alone Walkyng”. It comes as no surprise that Hades musically is almost identical with other Nordic Black Metal bands meaning it’s quite predictable at times. But quite good! Except for the demo “Alone Walkyng” that’s available for 30 NKR, they also have t-shirts available for 100 NKR.

A new single with rerecordings of three songs from EMPEROR’s debut demo “Wrath of the Tyrant” will be released within a couple of days. The single will be printed in a limited edition of 1000 numbered copies (with a sticker). Certainly a very sought after release. The easiest way to obtain it is to send 40 crowns to Nocturnal Art Productions, namely Emperor themselves. (Herr_BM: it’s “As The Shadows Rise” single Jon is writing about here.)

We have had the honor to take part of four new songs from a fresh new recording done by the extremely cruel psychopaths in NIFELHEIM from Dals-Långed. A recording that really reeks of hate and death! Songs like “Sodomizer”, “Witchfuck”, “The Devastation” and “Eternal Evil” is explicitly said so hellish awesome that all other new Black Metal sounds like gospel in comparison. Loyal readers of Extreme Zone of course noticed these guys in MZ nr 3, when we praised their debut demo, but this is the best! Fast, raw and crushing “Satanic Speed Metal” with an atmospheric aura of the blackest devilish evil. Sadly this recording is unofficial, but do not despair, because the excellent Nifelheim demo is still available to order if you’re fast enough 30 crowns + postage (an investment smarter than smartest). It will not be too long until we get to hear Nifelheim on an album. They’re going to appear on a compilation album on American Necropolis Records and later probably a whole full length album on the same company. We wait with big expectations…       

                                                      

The Northern Darkness Tour* with IMMORTAL and MARDUK is postponed because the organizer has been changed. The tour was originally was going to start on the first of April, but will instead begin on 27/5 and continue until 12/6. Totally 17 gigs and to us Northmen sadly not one in Scandinavia. *(Herr_BM note: the tour was actually called “Sons of Northern Darkness 94” and they played in Denmark so I would say they did play one gig in Scandinavia, I don’t know if that was changed or if Jon got the wrong info)

Swedish OPHTHALAMIA’s album debut “A Journey In Darkness” (Avantgarde Music) have after many circumstances finally been released. But not all the problems of Ophthalamia have been solved. The Italian record label Avantgarde Music has because of disagreement with the band cancelled all plans of any tours. The lack of distributors also cause that “A Journey In Darkness” still is very hard to get ahold of, but hopefully that’s going to change. The record is now available at House of Kicks and Heavy Sound.

OPHTHALAMIA’s songwriter “IT” is as you know with “EVIL” from MARDUK on his side also involved with the mythical and notorious “project” ABRUPTUM, their second album was recently released. “In Umbra Malitiae Ambulabo, In Aeternum In Triumpho Tenebraum” is the title and the album is published on the ghost label Deathlike Silence Productions. The planned razor (!) with the exhortation “cut your wrists” that was supposed to be attached on limited editions, never got done because of different reasons. The one who seeks out to be torn apart by the sharp claws of evil should thoughtfully consider looking after this hard to understand masterpiece.

UK based Candlelight Records some time ago signed the Stockholm band OPETH to its army of (mostly) high quality bands. The debut record “Orchid” is on its way to be released and is a result from a visit to the now widely used Unisound Studio in Finspång. The song titles are “In Mist She Was Standing”, “Under The Weeping Moon”, “The Apostle In Triumph”, “Forest Of October”, “Oath” and “Silhouettes”. The promo tape shows proof of may musically talents. Strongly influenced by Norse Folk Music and Progressive Rock Opeth debuts in a very promising way. We’ll wait with further comments until the album is released.

Like we said in the beginning we’ll henceforth review fanzines so we take a short moment and look at what we got thus far. It should also be added that these magazines are also looking for demos and to review.

The Gathering Zine #1

A very good fanzine written in English. Mostly consisting of Black Metal. Good interviews with bands like: Abruptum, Monumentum, Funeral Nation, Katatonia, Dissection, Throne of Ahaz, At The Gates etc. Also an interview with Slayer magazine. A memorial article dedicated to Mayhem, the history of Mercyful Fate, articles of the occult, album reviews, etc. 56 pager in A4 can be ordered for 20 crowns. Recommended.

Peerless Fanzine #2

Swedish written fanzine in A5. 64 pages full of Swedish Metal. Many reviews of demos/albums/fanzines, talk about songs and other good things. Interview with: Decameron, Merciless, Necrophobic, Edge of Sanity, Dissection, Dark Tranquility and Deranged, just to name a few. An entertaining magazine available for measly 10 crowns + postage. Well worth the price!

Zelot Zine #2

Astonishing great! Incredibly well written and a very professional layout. Packed with interesting reading throughout. Informative interviews with among others: My Dying Bride, At The Gates, Desultory, Overflash, Anathema, Seance, Pan-Thy-Monium, Nocturnal Rites and In The Colonnades. Articles, demo/album reviews, news and everything one can think of. Also a three paged tribute article on the kings of gothic rock Fields of the Nephilim. As you’d already understand this is a 68 paged A5 that’s characterized with a very high quality and I say easily that Zelot Zine are at the top of the Swedish fanzine elite, order immediately for 20 crowns. Overwhelming!

Nordic Vision #1

Nordic Vision is a Norwegian produced fanzine that according to me is a bit sloppy. Boring layout and so on, but because this is their first issue one can only hope that the coming numbers will get better. This can however be interesting for you that want to read some more about Black Metal. Interviews with: Rotting Christ, Marduk, Darkthrone, Monumentum, Dissection, Satyricon, Slayer Magazine and No Fashion Records. Also a bunch of reviews. It cost 30 crowns and we are only getting 22 pages. Expensive?

Dark Dimensions #2

Last out we have Dark Dimensions. Here’s served Black and Death Metal in a large amount! 62 pages on A4 written in Swedish. The interviewed bands are: Rotting Christ, Necrony, Vomitory, Tiamat, Dark Tranquility, Decameron, Marduk and a bunch of others. To my delight (and surprise) there’s also a 4-paged interview with the Progressive total favorites Landberk! Lots of reviews and such. Sadly the layout is in this otherwise good fanzine a bit disappointing, that affect the full impression some. For you that got 20 crowns too much why not invest in this magazine?

Enough of drivel for this time. Goodbye!

Jon Nödtveidt