SWEDEN, BATHORY & SCANDINAVIAN METAL ATTACK

Today on the 6th of June is the National Day of Sweden and I will honor the fathers of the Swedish and Scandinavian scene today. Bathory!! With their three compilations “Jubileum Volume I-III” albums but also the split compilation the Swedish first print vinyl of “Scandinavian Metal Attack” (1984). Where Bathory made their first ever recording performance.

An old LP that used to belong to my older sister but she gave to me in the mid 90’s. Guess she bought it around 1991/92 (?) at the store that sold used records in our hometown. In 1995 I bought my very first Bathory CD the “Jubileum Volume II” (1992) album. At that same store where CD's and LP's were 50% cheaper then other stores with new records. The only Bathory songs I had heard up until this point were the ones that appears on the LP Sacrifice and The Return of Darkness And Evil.

To process Bathory from their primitive early 80's Black Metal to the Viking Metal era from the early 90's. It actually took me a few listens before I could fully appreciate the whole CD. But once I did... Oh fucking hell how amazing it was!!

I would play it nonstop again and again, over and over. It was such an eyeopening record and Bathory became one of my favorite bands from my home country. Later I read in an interview that one of my top-5 favorite Bathory songs The Golden Walls Of Heaven lyrics that the first letter of each line spelled out SATAN in every verse was great. For example:

"Silent watching gaze
Across the blackened plains
Two eyes like burning embers
Awaits the moment for the
North star to blaze

Sythanagon winged
Angel rides deaths wind
To cloudless sky
And sound a summon call of war
Now burn does the skyline"

and I thought that was the coolest thing. Hadn't discovered that in the booklet to the release because it ain't as apparent in the lyrics that's printed in the “Jubileum Volume II” booklet.

There's so many classic songs on “Jubileum Volume II” just to name a some of my favorites: Call From The Grave; The Return of Darkness and Evil; Die In Fire; Shores In Flames; Burnin' Leather; Possessed; Bond of Blood; Total Destruction; Twilight of the Gods etc.

Not long thereafter I bought “Jubileum Volume I” (1993). Once again later I discovered that the lyrics to another top-5 song of mine Dies Irae first letters spells out Christ The Bastard Son Of Heaven and the 15-16 year old me thought it was the coolest thing.

This album was even a little bit better in my opinion. It had so many amazing ones like: Odens Ride over Nordland; A Fine Day to Die; Sacrifice; War; Song To Hall Up High; Crawl To Your Cross; You Don't Move Me (I Don't Give a Fuck) Blood Fire Death etc. Also two other of my top-5 Bathory songs Equimanthorn and Enter The Eternal Fire. I could write every song!

The songs are perfectly chosen, who actually were voted by fans, all from Bathory’s 6 first records on both “Jubileum Volume I & II”. Sure songs like Hades; Necromancy; Born For Burning; Sadist; Massacre; Woman of Dark Desires; Of Doom...; Pace Till Death; Holocaust;  For All Those Who Died; Valhalla; Father To Son; Blood And Iron plus MANY are missing and would've been great. But still what one gets on these 2 compilation albums are very high value for ones money.

It actually took me a trip to Stockholm and the record store Sound Pollution to locate my two favorite Bathory albums "Blood Fire Death" (1988) and "Under the Sign of the Black Mark" (1987). Because finding them in my hometown wasn't happening except for the used one I found and “Jubileum Volume I”. Later I ordered "The Return....." (1985) and "Bathory" (1984) then finally I got "Hammerheart" (1990) "Twilight of the Gods" (1991).

By then "Blood On Ice" (1996) had already been released and one of the best songs from that album The Lake appeared on a compilation CD that came with an issue of Close-Up Magazine a Swedish metal mag. It actually took me a few years before I finally got and also liked "Blood On Ice" on CD because it didn't blow me away when I listened to it at one of the local record stores back in 1996.

All three compilations are essential to own just for the 8 previously unreleased 80's songs:

• Die In Fire and You Don’t Move Me (I Don’t Give a Fuck) recorded in 1983
• Satan My Master and Witchcraft recorded in 1984
• Burnin' Leather Rider; At The Gate Of Dawn and In Nomine Satanas recorded in 1987
• Crawl To Your Cross recorded in 1989

I also want to note that the versions of Sacrifice and The Return of Darkness And Evil is from the split compilation LP “Scandinavian Metal Attack”. I definitely prefer those recordings over the album versions they sound much better in my ears.

The 6 first albums will always be my favorites in the Bathory discography. Hence I think that “Jubileum Vol III” (1998) is more uneven then the two previous volumes.

The songs from the albums “Requiem” (1994) and “Octagon” (1995) and the two unreleased 90’s songs Resolution Greed and Genocide are good, but they all pale in comparison to the 2 previous compilations. I still think that the record is worth buying just for the unreleased 80’s recorded 2 songs and those from the amazing “Blood On Ice” (1996) album.

Have a great day and celebrate Sweden and Quorthon who died in 2004 on June the 3rd with some beer and Bathory!

TRIUMPHATOR - WINGS OF ANTICHRIST (1999)

On a reissue vinyl that was just released on Shadow Records limited to 500 copies. It comes with a  2 song bonus 7” with material from an unreleased recording done in 2001 and also a huge poster. Also included my old CD that was originally released in October of 1999 by Necropolis Records see picture of that one further down in the post.

I preordered this vinyl for about 1.5 years ago / whenever it was announced. Didn’t mind the wait because I already owned it on CD. Either way I much rather wait for something superb then get something subpar and Shadow Records does deliver the goods on this release. Wings Of Antichrist was recorded in The Abyss Studio with Peter Tägtgren and it was mastered by the former Death, Testament, Obituary etc. guitarist James Murphy and the album sounds fucking amazing.

The lineup on Wings Of Antichrist was Arioch (Funeral Mist) on vocals & guitar, Fredrik Andersson (Marduk) on drums and the Shadow Records owner & boss Marcus Tena on bass.

Daniel "Arioch" Rostén is my favorite vocalist of all time in the scene and his performance on the Funeral Mist albums Salvation (2003) and Maranatha (2009) are out of this world amazing! Only Attila Csihar on De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas (1994) is a vocal performance I think is better then those two. But Arioch has also done magical work with Marduk whom he breed new blood into when he joined them as Mortuus in 2004. His performance on Wings Of Antichrist is brilliant as always.

Fredrik Andersson has always been one of my favorite Black Metal drummers, just listen to what he did with Marduk (1993-2002) or Allegiance (1989-1999) and of course this record. The last record he appeared on was La Grande Danse Macabre by Marduk in 2001. His drumming is extremely missed in the scene!

Lots of notable people within the Swedish Black Metal scene contributing lyrics to this album. Like Morgan Håkansson (Marduk), Mika Hakola (Ofermod & Nefandus) and Nattfursth (Sorhin) all wrote one lyric each.

Mörk (Malign) wrote three of them and Arioch wrote two of their lyrics (Redeemer Of Chaos and The Triumph Of Satan). Marcus Tena wrote all of the music except for 2 songs that was written by Arioch (Crushed Revelation and Goathorned Abomination).

If you like your Swedish Black Metal raw, fast and violent then Wings of Antichrist is a great album for you. I highly recommend getting it if you’re into bands like Funeral Mist, Marduk, Sorhin or Malign.

Hell get it anyway! Because it’s a fucking excellent record!

This reissue sounds great and I'm very satisfied to own it on vinyl. Also that it's a Shadow Records release I've been a huge fan of Marcus Tena's record label since 1997 but I could see why Triumphator let Necropolis Records release this album because of their better distribution.

I think that both Triumphator and Wings Of Antichrist went under many peoples radar when it was released in 1999 and not a lot of people talk about it nowadays. Don't remember seeing Necropolis Records doing much promotion for the album when it was released. The only Triumphator interviews I ever read back then were in fanzines.

Sadly this was the only Triumphator album released and it's not likely we'll ever see another one after so many years. But if you want more there's a 2 song 7” released in 1998 called The Ultimate Sacrifice on Mark Of The Devil. They recorded it in the great Necromorbus Studio with Tore Stjerna (ex. Funeral Mist) where many other classics have been recorded. Actually I expected the album to be recorded in his studio. Later The Ultimate Sacrifice was also released on a MCD in 1999 on Holocaust Records.

As far as I know Triumphator only played live once at Waregem, Belgium in 2000. Check out an earlier post I made or YouTube for a song from that gig.

If you read my posts (especially on Instagram) you probably know that I'm a HUGE fan of everything Arioch/Mortuus has ever been involved with.

However Triumphator have their own unique sound and they definitely have a place in the Swedish Black Metal history.

Get yourself a copy over at helterskelterproductions.bandcamp.com while it's still available. Also check out www.shadowrecords.se!

This post is dedicated to the beautiful Melissa Nordell (1979-2001) who was brutally murdered two years after this release. Immortalized in the Necropolis Records release on the CD, inside the booklet and the back sleeve.

MY MARDUK EP COLLECTION

Have done an update of some of these ones that I've gotten on vinyl. Like the Panzer Division Live (2018) tank shaped EP, Hearse on 7" and Iron Dawn on a single sided 12" vinyl.

Marduk is one of my favorite bands of all time and this’s my Marduk EP collection, by far not the biggest, but I have every release I do believe. But clearly NOT every LP and CD print there’s of each and every one.

Recently Marduk released a digital single and a promo lyrics video for the song Werwolf from their upcoming Viktoria album that will be released on July 22nd. Really wish Werwolf was on any physical format but what can one do in this fucking digital streaming age...

In the order of release:

Fuck Me Jesus MCD 1994 and 12” LP 2017 both Osmose Productions
This is their 1991 demo with the same name that Osmose Productions released on CD in 1994. It's been reissued many times and I hear why. Because it's absolutely amazing! This was the 3rd Marduk release I ever bought after discovering the band in 1994. Although I have a lot of nostalgia for the recording I must say it's my favorite Marduk EP of all time.

Brilliant sounding and recorded with Dan Swanö. If I was to put Fuck Me Jesus among their albums this 12 min 40 sec masterpiece would be number 3 after Opus Nocturne and Those of the Unlight. It's that excellent!

Glorification MCD 1996 Osmose Productions
This basically has another mix of the song Glorification of the Black God from the Heaven Shall Burn... When We Are Gathered (1996) album. I don't notice anything mayor change from the album version although it's 10 seconds longer on the EP and 4 cover of Destruction, Bathory and 2 songs by Piledriver. The 1996 vinyl release also has a Venom cover.
It's a good EP even if the songs they chose to cover like The Return of Darkness & Evil and Total Desaster are so much better in their original versions. I don't think Marduk are bad at doing covers and if your a big Marduk fan like me I can recommend it. But for a more casual fan there's better EP's coming up.

Here’s No Peace MCD 1997 Shadow Records
This was recorded in December of 1991 with Dan Swanö. I have heard different reasons why the planned 7" vinyl wasn't released in the early 90's. Anyway this has an intro Here's No Peace and 2 songs Still Fucking Dead and Within The Abyss only 7.5 min but still all so brilliant. I prefer the Fuck Me Jesus release but these early recordings in Unisound Studios (aka. Hellspawn or Gorysound Studios) are so amazing.
Although I really like their great debut album Dark Endless (1992) I think that the 2 recordings before that one really captures Marduk's sound better. They sound much more raw, filthy and nasty in my ears. Needless to say this's a must have EP if you are into Black Metal!

Obedience MCD 2000 Blooddawn Productions
With a silver printed Marduk logo on the front of the jewel case. I have to admit when I got this at some record fair in my hometown 2000/01(?) it didn't blow me away but with time I really appreciate it. Obedience is a great song, but even better is the song Funeral Bitch and it's so much better on this EP then on the album La Grande Danse Macabre (2001). They should consider playing it more often in their live setlist I think, last time was in 2007 according to setlist.fm.
Then a cover Into The Crypts Of Rays by Celtic Frost the original song I think is one the best song ever by Celtic Frost and Marduk does an acceptable version of that classic Black Metal tune.

Slay The Nazarene vinyl 7” 2002 Warlord Records limited to 1500 copies
A sort of oddball release it has 2 live songs both appears on the 1998 album "Nightwing" Slay The Nazarene and Of Hell's Fire. It almost feels like a bootleg even if it sounds great and is listed as an official release at their official homepage, Discogs and at Metal Archives also that it's licensed by Blooddawn Productions (record label founded by Marduk).
Both songs are the best from the then 4 year old Nightwing album it doesn't say when or where they were recorded. I like it but this is only a necessary release for die-hard Marduk fans in my opinion.

Hearse vinyl 7"  Regain Records limited to 500 copies
The title track is a teaser for what became vocalist Legion and bassist B.War last album World Funeral (2003). It's a great song and the band also made a promo video for it. Only one more song on this MCD a cover of Phantasm by Possessed it's good.
Hearse is why I bought the MCD but with only 2 songs it feels kind of hard to recommend it to anyone that's not a huge Marduk fan.

Deathmarch Tour EP MCD 2004 Blooddawn Productions
This was sold exclusively on the Deathmarch tour 04/05. With new vocalist Arioch from Funeral Mist or Mortuus as he's known as in Marduk and returning member Devo Andersson on bass (previously guitar 1992-1994). It has a "alternative version" of the amazing song Steel Inferno that appears on the Plague Angel (2004) album.
An unreleased instrumental song called Tod Und Vernichtung which is German for "death and annihilation" in my opinion it's worth to get the EP just for that song. Also 2 rehearsal songs Throne Of Rats and The Hangman of Prague that I as a huge Marduk fan really like that they included, maybe not for everyone. Still I highly recommend this EP.

Iron Dawn vinyl 12" limited to 300 copies 2011 Blooddawn Productions/Century Media
It took Marduk 7 fucking years to release another EP. But when they finally did it was well worth the wait. I can definitely say that this is a brilliant release! 3 unreleased songs that as far I know only appears on this EP: Warschau 2: Headhunter Halfmoon; Wacht am Rhein: Drumbeats of Death and Prochorovka: Blood and Sunflowers.
All songs are played furiously fast and the war theme is very present on this release. Both songs Warschau 2 and Prochorovka was played on the Hatefest 2011 Tour and the first one of the two songs occasionally on the Serpent Sermon World Tour 2012. This is the best Marduk EP in my opinion since the Here’s No Peace released 14 years earlier. It should appeal to anyone that likes Marduk. 13 minutes well spent listening to this great EP.

Souls For Belial MCD 2012 Century Media/Blooddawn Productions
Released to subscribers of Sweden Rock Magazine #94 in April as a teaser for the then upcoming album Serpent Sermon (2012). The song Souls For Belial is great and there's a cover of Oil On Panel by the alternative country band Woven Hand a rather odd choice but I like it. Might not be for everyone this EP but in my opinion it's worth it just for like I wrote the odd cover.

Coram Satanae 7” vinyl 2012 Century Media/Blooddawn Productions
This singled sided 7 inch vinyl only have the Coram Satanae song but it's still worth every penny. Because it's one of my favorite songs Marduk have done since Mortuus joined and that says a lot because they have released so many great tracks in the last 14 years.
Coram Satanae also appears on one limited red vinyl version of Serpent Sermon (2012) as a red bonus 7" but also on two limited CD releases. Anyway if you don't have it on one of your albums this is the only way to have it and I promise you wont be disappointed.

Ancient Evil 7”vinyl 2015 Blooddawn Productions 500 copies hand numbered
Apart of the 4 "official bootleg series" that was released 2015. This one is a live recording from November of 1991. It has 4 songs Departure from the Mortals; Within The Abyss; Still Fucking Dead and The Black Goat (as it was called back then, later The Black...).
This sound probably amazing to everyone but remember that this's a bootleg recording I'm used to these kind of recordings with VHS trading of Black and Death Metal concerts in the 90's so the sound is far from perfect. I don't mind it but if you're unsure listen to it first. I really like this one!

The Sun Turns Black As Night 7”vinyl 2015 Blooddawn 500 copies hand numbered
Unlike the previous one this is recorded in May of 1992 and only have 2 songs Still Fucking Dead and Within the Abyss. Like I wrote about "Ancient Evil" this appeals to me but maybe not a casual Marduk fans. I'm very happy with it and wish for more releases like this from Marduk especially ones from 1994-95 would be amazing.

Panzer Division Live 7" vinyl 2018 Night Of The Vinyl Dead Records / Blooddawn Productions limited to 500 copies and hand numbered.

Finally got a "deal" on this unique shaped tank EP with the sleeve acting as background. Mostly bought it as a display piece and of course because I consider myself to be a Marduk collector I also wanted to own it for that reason.
The 2 songs Panzer Division Marduk and Baptism By Fire are old live recordings from Germany in 1999. Both have been released as early as 2002 on the Blackcrowned boxset, they appear on both the CD's and the VHS. Also on the standalone Blackcrowned  LP's from 2002 and the DVD from 2005 and the official bootleg live album World Panzer Battle 1999 from 2015. It would've been nice with some more uncommon songs or recording but the value of it is in the design that I proudly display at my home. Only for die hard Marduk fans!


There's a bunch of different versions/prints also reissues of almost all of these releases with all sorts of bonus tracks. For instance Obedience the North American release in 2001 had 3 live bonus songs. The reissues from 2007 and 2008 had a terrible cover of the great Rolling Stones song Paint It Black and a good version of Earth A.D. by Misfits both had terrible redone cover artwork. Not every release is like that but many.

I’ve previously ranked all the Marduk full length albums and live records but I’m not going to rank these EP’s it’s too hard. For casual Marduk fans I will say that the most essential releases of all of them are in my opinion Fuck Me Jesus and Here’s No Peace. If you want more I suggest Iron Dawn and Coram Satanae then probably the Deathmarch Tour EP. I like all the others but especially those with Mortuus and the early 90’s recordings.

As you see I only have 5 (well 7 now) on vinyl might try to get those ones that are available on vinyl someday. Some of them are also very expensive, even if I’m in no hurry. Praise hail Marduk!!