THE SOMBERLAIN 25th ANNIVERSARY

Tomorrow is a very important day for the Black/Death Metal scene. Because on one Friday the 3rd of December 1993 an album was released on the Swedish label No Fashion Records by a band called Dissection. That record was for me the life changing The Somberlain.

In the spring of 1994 I started buying a new and short lived Swedish magazine called Metal Zone. For a couple of issues Jon Nödtveidt (guitar/vocals) did a few of reviews, wrote in the "Extreme Zone" did interviews with Bathory and Emperor etc.

Got really impressed with his writing. Metal Zone also did a interview with Jon from Dissection. You could say I was a fan even before I had heard The Somberlain just based on all the great texts he wrote and what he said in that interview.

Should mention that the Dissection drummer Ole Öhman wrote a couple of interviews with Carcass and At The Gates. Did reviews etc.

Jon and Ole wasn't apart of Metal Zone for more then a few issues and they didn't have nice things to say about the magazine that had covers with shit bands like Bon Jovi and Clawfinger. 

The hardest music that made the cover of it was probably Metallica, Pantera and Megadeth. It also had a bunch of AOR music articles so it wasn't the perfect magazine.

But if it wasn't for Jon's writing and that interview I probably wouldn't have heard Dissection until a couple of years later. Actually when I heard the name for the first time I thought they were some Cannibal Corpse sounding band not anything wrong about that but clearly they didn't sound anything like that.

When I came over a copy of The Somberlain in the summer of 1994 it was spectacular. I do still  remember the first time listening to it in my bedroom and being completely floored by the music. It was a new formula for me yet it felt like something that summoned up every inch of extreme Metal music.

Know about the ancient debate were Dissection a Death Metal band or a Black Metal band. This is probably going to piss off some younger readers but when a 18-20 year old tells me that Dissection is a Black Metal band period, just shut the hell up about a band and scene that existed long before you were even born. I'm not out to offend someone but sometimes you just had to experienced those days.

I think on The Somberlain the band has a much more Death Metal feel to it then on the more blackened Storm Of The Light's Bane (1995). Remember in the very first Dissection interview I read that Jon said they play Death Metal. Is any of this important? Well no. But also yes because it's a topic I can discuss for a very long time preferable with someone in my age as me or older.

For me Dissection lead me into Black Metal that the album was dedicated to Øystein "Euronymous" Aarseth (1968-1993) from "the cursed Mayhem" and the ties that the band had with other Black Metal bands in Scandinavia. Soon thereafter I bought Emperor, Marduk, Immortal etc. albums.


Anyway lets move on. The feeling I got when I
first got the record it was like something very personal something that "no one else" knew about of course there were thousands of people just like me.

But the feeling of knowing about how amazing Dissection was it felt like everyone should know. Soon everyone did know but for awhile I felt like a very "selected" is the best word I can describe it as.

The material on The Somberlain was written as far back as 1989 to 1992. The already mentioned Jon and Ole were joined in Dissection by the longtime bassist Peter Palmdahl (1989-97) and the amazing rythm guitarist John Zwetsloot (1991-94).

Everyone should know the Dissection history, that they had originated from the small Swedish town Strömstad (approx 6 300 people) near the Norwegian border.

Before The Somberlain the band had released the demo also as a 7" Into Infinite Obscurity (1991) on the French label Corpse Grinder Records. Also the demos The Grief Prophecy (1991); The Somberlain 4-song demo from 1992 and also the Promo '93 with Where Dead Angels Lie and my favorite cover song of all time Dissection's version of Elisabeth Bathory originally written by Tormentor.

In March of 1993 between the 1st to the 6th of that month they recorded their debut album in the Hellspawn/Unisound Studio with Dan Swanö. More about the production further down. The studio had already made a mark in the Swedish Death and Black Metal scene with bands I don't should have too mention.

The opening song Black Horizons was the newest track on the album the music was written by Nödtveidt & Zwetsloot in Oct. 92 and the lyrics was written by Nödtveidt a month before that. With its 8 min 10 sec Black Horizons is the longest song on the entire album. It starts of with a backward played phrase. Isn't until 2 min into the song that the vocals starts. The song itself sounds probably the most Black Metal like on the album, it has an acoustic guitar playing in parts of the song. Also that classic King Diamond/Heavy Metal scream done by producer Dan Swanö. A perfect opener and one of the best songs on this masterpiece. 

The title track The Somberlain was my favorite song back when I first started listening to Dissection. With that amazing opening guitar playing sure that Nödtveidt was a great songwriter but his guitar skills aren't talked about as often. In my book he's the 2nd best guitar player just behind Euronymous. Anyway The Somberlain is the second longest song on the album 7 min, it was written by Nödtveidt alone the music in June 92 and the lyrics December 91. If Dissection is to be associated with one song it's likely many will think of The Somberlain it's there anthem song one could say. Actually this song doesn't appear on the 4-song The Somberlain demo from 1992.

The instrumental Crimson Towers is "just" an acoustic guitar played by Zwetsloot alone who also wrote it. Out of the three instrumental songs I think it is the weakest.

The only song that Nödtveidt co-wrote music with bassist Peter Palmdahl was on the song A Land Forlorn. The music was written in June 92 the lyrics dates back to December 90. The band often played it live in the 90's and on The Rebirth of Dissection tour in 2004 but was dropped after that.

On some gigs in the 90's Heaven's Damnation was used as the opening song and with its fast paced start it suits for that. Even if I personally preferred the At the Fathomless Depths/Night's Blood opening. Anyway the entire Heaven's Damnation song was written in April 92 the music is another Nödtveidt & Zwetsloot co-written one.  with a great acoustic guitar which adds much to the mood of the song.

Another one they used to open gigs with was Frozen both in the 90's and also in 2005. The song was entirely written by Nödtveidt himself in December 91. It also appears first on The Somberlain demo from 1992. Definitely a fan favorite also, one of mine as well the verse when Jon sings:
"Tears in my eyes turns into fire
as where I belong
The cold within, it chills my skin,
my heart and soul
In ecstasy I shred myself
to release what's held within
In solitude I'm having my pride
I, Transylvanian son"
is just pure magic. It gets me every time I hear it and sends chills down my spine because it's so fucking brilliant.

The second instrumental song Into Infinite Obscurity is much better then the first one. This one dates back to 1991 and is on the Into Infinite Obscurity 7" that I wrote about earlier.

In the Cold Winds Of Nowhere was another music collaboration by Nödtveidt & Zwetsloot written in Oct. 91. It also appeared on The Somberlain demo from 1992. This album doesn't have any flaws I would say but in my opinion it's the 2nd weakest song on the record. But don't get me wrong! The song is something few bands only could've imagined to write in their entire career.

Only music written by both drummer Ole Öhman and Nödtveidt is on The Grief Prophecy/Shadows Over A Lost Kingdom. The song Shadows Over A Lost Kingdom dates all the way back to November 1989 the same year that Dissection started. It also appeared on Into Infinite Obscurity 7" that version is of course completely different both are great but I do believe that I prefer the 7" version a bit more. At least today on the 3rd December of 2018 but it could change. I'm very glad they included it on the compilation The Past Is Alive (The Early Mischief) (1997) that Necropolis Records put out.

Like I wrote The Somberlain is a flawless album and I would not change anything. But the weakest song of the non-instrumental ones is in my opinion Mistress of the Bleeding Sorrow. It's of course still great also I think that the version from The Somberlain demo from 1992 sounds a little better. It's more raw and harsh of course then this version, yet again very glad it's on The Past Is Alive.

The instrumental by Zwetsloot Feathers Fell ends of this masterpiece and it's the best of the 3 instrumental songs he composed. I often used this one as an ending song on many my mix cassette tapes back in the day. If it had 41 seconds left on a side it was a great way to fit another song onto them. Actually yet again I do prefer demo version with vocals and drums it's 51 seconds and was also used to end cassette tapes with. But both versions are genius so you can't go wrong with either of them.

And that's all the songs on The Somberlain like most debut records it's a lot of "old" demo songs re-recorded. The Past Is Alive does include many but not all of them, but there's been reissued versions of the album and deluxe ones that fixes that if one wants all those songs. But this post is about the 1993 version of The Somberlain the one I grew up listening to.

The production by Dan Swanö was truly amazing. The Somberlain set a new standard for MANY other bands in the scene. Also got to mention the classic amazing cover artwork done by the legendary Kristian "Necrolord" Wåhlin.

Got to do a comparison with the follow-up album Storm Of The Light's Bane that was released almost two years later on Nuclear Blast. I often say it's my favorite Dissection album and my 2nd favorite album of all time. Only beaten by De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas by Mayhem.

Well how much better is really Storm Of The Light's Bane? Extremely little in my opinion when I listen to The Somberlain all memories comes back and I almost change my mind which is the better one.

Many bands even old ones adopted the Dissection style of melodic Death Metal and a ton of newer ones like Naglfar, Vinterland, Gates Of Ishtar etc. It almost got ridiculous with how many Swedish melodic Death Metal with hints of Black Metal popped up.

The style however isn't what I really enjoy except for the records by Dissection, Unanimated and Dawn there's very few melodic Death Metal bands that I like. When done properly it's amazing but take a band like Vinterland their only record is nowadays are praised as something genius. Back then me and my friends used to hate and laugh at all "Dissection clone" bands. I still do that!

When Jon and Vlad was arrested in December of 1997 for murder I was devastated for my own selfish reasons because it meant no more Dissection. At least it felt like that Jon would be doing 16 years in prison or something like that. Being 17 years old at the time and being a huge fan I was truly gutted.

We saw the Live Legacy release in 2003 recorded at Wacken Open Air of 1997 after the murder of Josef. The recording had already circled in the scene and it was released as a bootleg called Frozen In Wacken (1999).

What about Reinkaos (2006)? No thanks... I think it was great that Jon did the Rebirth of Dissection got a new lineup for the band together and did tours. However the songs on Reinkaos sucks... The sound, production, songwriting, arrangements are all terrible.

Sure I think that Maha Kali is a great song even if it sounded quite dated like something from 1996-97 by another band. Other then that its just boring sounding songs on that album. I've tried MANY times and it never gets any better. Actually don't even own a copy of it for myself anymore.

The Somberlain will always be remembered for years to come even at its 50th anniversary it will be regarded as one of the best albums of its time.

Anyway thanks if you read the whole text for a life changing record in this 38 year old man life. 

THE BLACK - THE PRIEST OF SATAN (1994)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

DISSECTION - THE PAST IS ALIVE (THE EARLY MISCHIEF)

This 1997 release on a reissue LP limited to 700 copies that just was released on Hammerheart Records. Can’t tell you enough how absolutely excellent I think this Dissection compilation is. The title is taken from the lyrics in one of my top-3 Mayhem songs ever Pagan Fears, however they should’ve cut out “The Early Mischief” part from the title. The word mischief sounds a bit juvenile in my opinion, but of course it doesn't take away anything from the music.

Still remember buying the original digipack CD on Necropolis Records at its release in 1997 and playing it nonstop for a very long time. Even if it didn’t have any new material it was still great because I hadn't heard these versions of any songs on "The Past Is Alive" before.

Back in 1997 I was really hoping for a new Dissection record that I thought was coming out sometime in 1998 or early 1999. You all know what happened with that... It was quite a shock to find out when Jon Nödtveidt was arrested for murder in December of 1997 just a few months after the release of "The Past Is Alive". It's all in the past now but at the time it felt like fuck there will never be any more Dissection after this because I thought he was going to get a life sentence. And when you're 17 years old and it's one of your favorite bands the feeling was total disaster.

Anyway “The Past Is Alive” consists of a bunch of various old recordings. 3 songs from the 7" EP and demo “Into Infinite Obscurity” (1991); 1 song from “The Grief Prophecy” (1990) demo; 1 song from a 1990 rehearsal tape; 4 from “The Somberlain” 1992 demo but what I probably appreciate most are the 2 Satanized songs.

A band/project Jon Nödtveidt was involved in as a guitarist together with future Dissection members Johan Norman (guitar) and Tobias Kjellgren (drums) back in 1991 as a guitarist. Also on bass Thomas Backelin (Lord Belial etc) and vocalist Per Alexandersson was members of this band. The 2 and only songs from the “Rehearsal ‘91” recording by Satanized that's called Satanized and Born in Fire makes it worth buying "The Past Is Alive" compilation alone because they are absolutely amazing songs. Really wish there was more Satanized songs that was recorded but sadly there isn't.

If one want more "obscure" Jon Nödtveidt recordings I highly recommend checking out Terror. A short lived project with Jon on vocals and the At The Gates members Jonas Bjöler (bass), Anders Bjöler (guitar) and Adrian Erlandsson (drums). The recorded the 3 song "Demo 1994" that was released in April that same year (listen to it last in the post). It was the only thing they ever recorded and would be nice to have on a official CD or LP release.

It’s great that “The Past Is Alive” was released and with the classic Dissection lineup. They were definitely in my top-3 bands during the 90’s, I've written on numerous occasions how the album "The Somberlain" and Dissection really changed my view on extreme Metal music forever.

However I think some of their magic was lost when Tobias Kjellgren took over as their drummer don't get me wrong he's a skilled drummer. But for me Ole Öhman will always be my favorite Dissection drummer of all time, sure Jon Nödtveidt was the reason Dissection were beyond brilliant.

Anyway this is a mandatory record to have in my opinion if you’re at all interested in the scene.
Hail Jon Nödtveidt and Dissection!!

Ranking of all 4 Nifelheim full length studio albums...

... like the title reads I recently ranked all 4 Nifelheim albums over @herr_black_metal on Instagram. Thought I'd share it here and also as a bonus the "Satanatas" EP and the split CD with Vulcano "Thunder Metal" which feature Jon Nödtveidt's final recording ever in June 2006. On with the evil blasphemies and let's find out which is the best Nifelheim album! Or at least my favorites.

1. Nifelheim (1995)

The first album of theirs I got on CD back in the day and it’s perfect. This beast is one of the best Black Metal albums ever from my country. This 1st print Necropolis Records vinyl is one of my favorite gems in my collection.

2. Devil's Force (1998)

Almost a tie for number 1 but I have more nostalgia for their debut. To follow up such an amazing album isn’t easy. But they did it just as great once again. Get both!

3. Servants of Darkness (2000)

This album doesn’t have a bad moment, all songs are brilliant and the production is perfect. I know some people say this is their favorite Nifelheim album and I hear why.

4. Envoy of Lucifer (2007)

First time I heard this it didn’t blow me away like their previous albums had. But with time I appreciated it more and more. Now it stands proud next to their other albums a must have.

The “Satanatas”(2014) EP is their latest release this 12” technically have 8 songs the B-side is exactly the same as the A-side but played backwards. If you enjoy Nifelheim it’s amazing.

The Vulcano split “Thunder Metal”(2006). I got the CD version because it’s the only release with Jon Nödtveidt’s last recording ever in June of 2006. He appears on Nifelheim’s cover of “Insulter of Jesus Christ” originally by the brilliant Swedish band Damnation. A band the Nifelheim drummer at the time Peter Stjärnvind (aka. Insulter of Jesus Christ) started in 1989 with Richard Daemon.

I really hope anyone that isn't into Nifelheim already will be inspired to track down these excellent releases,

Jon Nödtveidt article on Slayer from April of 1994

I've translated another Jon Nödtveidt from Dissection text he wrote for Metal Zone this article is about Slayer. Please check out my Instagram @herr_black_metal and also other interviews and articles I translated from Swedish to English by Jon Nödtveidt. Enjoy!

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

Another Jon Nödtveidt text translated

As the title says I have translated another Jon Nödtveidt text. This time he shared the text with Ole Öhman, drummer of Dissection at the time. This review is of a Entombed and Dark Tranquility gig in Gothenburg. Originally published in Metal Zone #2 in February of 1994.

Jon Nödtveidt Dissection interview in June 1994

The first ever Jon Nödtveidt/Dissection interview that I read was in June of 1994. In Swedish with this very ugly unfitting background. But that's not important it's what Jon says in the interview that matters. 

Anyway this is one of the reasons that made me buy The Somberlain 23 year ago in 1994 when I was 14 years. Damn I'm fucking old... 

It's from the Swedish magazine Metal Zone that both Jon Nödtveidt and Ole Öhman wrote in for a couple of issues. This is in the same issue (nr. 5) of the magazine that Jon interviews Bathory and Emperor. In the Extreme Zone he wrote about bands that caught my interest like Nifelheim, Ophthalamia, Abruptum, Einherjer, Opeth etc. and a few fanzines (see a English translation of the article I made here. Kind of strange that he got to write about the excellent album A Journey In Darkness (1994) by Ophthalamia since he was the vocalist on that one. 

Jon Nödtveidt was a very talented writer and every text he wrote for this magazine was so interesting back then (and now) for me. That combination almost made me a Dissection fan even before buying The Somberlain. That record was so important and had such an effect on me.

Iron Maiden started my interest for Heavy Metal back in 1988. Even if band like Slayer, Morbid Angel & Dismember plus a ton of other bands had a very strong effect on me. It was Dissection that really changed my view on Extreme Metal music forever whether it called Black/Death/Thrash.

I decided to translate it into English thanks to all the demand on Instagram.

Jon Nödtveidt interview Samoth of Emperor in 1994 English translation

Cannot tell you enough just how important and the impact this Jon Nödtveidt interview with Samoth of Emperor had on me. It made me buy my first ever Norwegian Black Metal album in 1994 the same year that In The Nightside Eclipse was released.

In this same issue of the swedish magazine Metal Zone #5 Jon does an interview with Bathory also there's also a Dissection / Jon Nödtveidt interview. He writes about Marduk, Nifelheim, Immortal, Abruptum, Ophthalamia etc. in the "Extreme Zone" section of the magazine.

In other issues he and the drummer Ole Öhman of Dissection writes interviews, reviews, articles with Slayer, Entombed, Carcass, At The Gates, Dark Tranquility etc.

You can find many of them here on the blog translated into English (got more I can publish). Just use the Jon Nödtveidt "label / tag" and thou shalt find those.