MARDUK COVER ARTWORK VARIATIONS part I

In my previous post on Instagram I didn't go into why I have 5 different copies (1 picture disc LP and 4 CD) of Obedience (2000). Because I'm fucking crazy... Well maybe? Should do a blog post about those also but managed to fuck up some of the pictures, it's coming some day.

I just want every different cover artwork Marduk have ever released even if it's on LP or CD. Also want to add that these 4 vinyls in this post are all quite cheap. At least when I got most of them about a year ago.

Would be nice to own every LP print someday but with all the Osmose Productions re-releases of many albums that they do every year in every possible color. I don't see that will be possibility for a foreseeable future sadly but I got time and patience.

All these records in this post are as you can see (hopefully) the 4 first Marduk full length albums. Got more cover art variations in my "quite vast"  Marduk collection. Stay tuned for lots of more parts in this series.

As far as the music goes on the records I don't even need to go deep into why all these 4 albums are mandatory for every Black Metal fan out there to have in their collection.

Usually hate whenever a band/label fucks with the cover artwork and these ain't no different. One can just in a millisecond see that's not how it supposed to look like.

However me being very passionate about my Marduk collecting, the band who clearly take up most space in my entire collection. I also don't think its absolutely necessarily to think every item in it must be a perfect 10 out of 10 release.

Being as off as these are I still find them all to be a bit charming. Also the rest of the layout and pictures are amazing so just for that reason it's a great investment for Marduk my collection.

 Heaven Shall Burn... When We Are Gathered (1996) already had terrible cover art. But I definitely don't think this 2008 Blooddawn Productions release as an improvement of the original 1996 one.

Also dislike the "glossy sleeves" these are for the most packed in.

The remaster of Heaven Shall Burn... When We Are Gathered was done in the Endarker Studio in 2004. It sounds good but has the weakest sound of these 4 remasters. This has actually became my favorite album from the "Legion era" in about a years time but more about that in another post.

It also got some bonus tracks from a demo 4-track recording done in June of 1995. Those songs are not listed anywhere on this release. I do enjoy them very much although I heard and owned them all before for quite some time on their box set and the 2 LP's of Blackcrowned (2002).

Probably the most ugly looking out of these 4 vinyls is the 2008 Regain Records LP of my favorite Marduk album of all time Opus Nocturne (1994). It's just a nightmare and I don't keep it anywhere close to my 1st print black LP version in my Marduk collection.

It got 3 bonus tracks, studio rehearsals of Sulphur Souls; Materialized In Stone and Opus Nocturne (sadly with no vocals) from April 1994.

None of those are rare as they were also included on their Blackcrowned release but there we were treated with Autumnal Reaper as well. They do reappeared somewhere else if my memory serves me right?

The 2008 Opus Nocturne reissue was also remastered in the Endarker Studio in 2004. It sounds very similar to the original recording.

I do think the Those Of The Unlight (1993) artwork from this 2006 Regain Records LP looks more then alright. However what I looked at as a 14 year old in 1994 on the CD booklet is in the back of my mind and is clearly the better of the two.

Its pictures and layout inside the gatefold release is the best out of these 4 in my humble opinion.

This 2006 LP release of course doesn't have the 3 bonus live video songs as the two 2006 CD's had of Darkness Breeds Immortality; A Sculpture Of The Night and The Funeral Seemed To Be Endless. However they are included on the "official bootleg" Strigzscara - Warwolf (2015) recorded in their own hometown Norrköping in December of 1993.

Should mention that the 2006 Regain Records LP and 2 CD releases (European & N. American) have 3 different cover artworks. Insane maybe... Those CD's are green and black instead of red and black as the LP.

As with the others Those Of The Unlight from 2006 was remastered by Devo Andersson in his Endarker Studio. I can hear a distinction from the original release but still very close to that one, it's not like this an entire new record.

Last out their debut album Dark Endless (1992) originally released on the legendary No Fashion Records on vinyl as well. This Blooddawn release is from 2008. Also want to say there are more different cover artworks variants of this album.

Must say although I'm not a fan of the original artwork that this is my 2nd favorite Dark Endless cover after the original 1992 release.

This one has 5 live bonus songs Departure From The Mortals; Within The Abyss; Still Fucking Dead; The Black Goat and Evil Dead recorded live in 1991. Also released as another "official bootleg" EP in 2015 on a 4 song 7" called Ancient Evil.

It not stated where the remastering of Dark Endless took place on the release but I would guess once again by Devo in the Endarker Studio. Repeating myself but it sounds great I do think out of the 4 Dark Endless and Heaven Shall Burn... sounds the weakest of them though.


So do I recommend getting these versions? If you don't have a copy of any of the albums on vinyl I would go with something that looks more like the original releases. If you don't care about that thing I go for it and leave these to us die hard fans.

And as ALWAYS PRAISE HAIL MARDUK!! 

MARDUK - OPUS NOCTURNE (1994)

1st print black vinyl limited to 700 copies released on Osmose Productions in 1994. Also released on a green vinyl limited to 300 copies that one is expensive as hell these days... Not that anyone could say my version is cheap nowadays exactly...

If I had to pick out a couple of Black Metal albums that were most essential for me getting into the Black Metal genre back in 1994 Opus Nocturne would definitely be one of those records.

Together with the albums The Somberlain by Dissection, Into The Nightside Eclipse by Emperor and Pure Holocaust by Immortal they all meant so much me in 1994.

They were the gateway records that showed me just how much music could have an effect on me and the path my life took.

The progression Marduk made with the Opus Nocturne album from their previous ones Dark Endless (1992) and Those Of The Unlight (1993) is immensely huge.

From the Black/Death Metal feeling in the early days on their only demo Fuck Me Jesus (1991) and the Here's No Peace recording. That were recorded in December of 1991 but not released until 1997.

The debut album Dark Endless also got that Black Death Metal sound. While their 2nd album Those Of The Unlight is pure Black Metal and probably the most unique recording Marduk did in the 90's.

Been many phases during the 29 year old history of Marduk and Opus Nocturne became a end of an era record for them.

It was Joakim Af Gravf (vocalist 1993-95/drummer 1990-93) last album with the band. Also their last release to be recorded with Dan Swanö at his Unisound/Hellspawn/Gorysound Studio.

Swanö whom Marduk had worked with since their first and only demo Fuck Me Jesus (1991).

Have to admit that Opus Nocturne was a bit harder for me to get into then The Somberlain (yeah I know Metal of Death...) and Into The Nightside Eclipse. Remember immediately liking my favorite Marduk songs ever Sulphur Souls and The Sun Has Failed though.

Also Materialized In Stone and the title track Opus Nocturne with vocals and lyrics by Tony "It" Särkkä (1972-2017) from Abruptum, Vondur etc. That one sounds like something Ophthalamia (another band It had formed in 1989) could have recorded it was a very unusual Marduk song.

Just a few listens in I liked From Subterranean Throne Profound; Autumnal Reaper; Wolves (Part 2: Untrodden Paths) and Deme Quaden Thyrane almost as much as my favorites. Opus Nocturne grew into a beast for me.

I could have the CD on repeat for hours and still find new things on each and every song it was truly a magical time in my life.

Opus Nocturne was released late in 1994 and in February of 1995 Marduk together with label mates Enslaved did a tour called the Winter War Tour 95. As they had done on the previous tour with Sons Of Northern Darkness with Immortal a special split shirt was made with the Marduk and Enslaved logos on the longsleeve arms. Those two are my most wanted shirts of all time.

Photos by user "maidenthrone" on tshirtslayer.com.

Marduk basically had the same line-up as the record on the tour: Morgan Håkansson (guitar), B.War (bass), Joakim Af Gravf (vocals), Fredrik Andersson (drums) but added Kim Osara as a session/live  guitarist.

Marduk and Enslaved's Winter War Tour 95 lasted from the 7th of February until the 26th of the same month with no dates off. They played in Austria, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Like mentioned many times before I used to buy/trade live bootleg filmed VHS-cassette tapes in the mid to late 90's. Marduk were one of the bands always had my eye out for.

The first one I got from the Winter War Tour 95 was recorded at Marseille, France on May the 17th. I do remember hating all effects they put on the video but it was still amazing.

It's on YouTube and I'm glad for that because I don't have to mess with my old VHS-cassettes. Even if I got stuff by some bands that's not out on YouTube.

Included the Marseille concert in this post and the setlist Marduk played are:

Sulphur Souls
From Subterranean Throne Profound
Wolves
The Sun Has Failed
A Sculpture Of The Night
Materialized In Stone
Deme Quaden Thyrane
The Black...
Untrodden Paths (Wolves, Part II)
On Darkened Wings
Autumnal Reaper 

Many songs from Opus Nocturne really glad they played A Sculpture Of The Night from Those Of The Unlight but also ones that aren't played now like: From Subterranean Throne Profound, The Sun Has Failed, Deme Quaden Thyrane, Untrodden Paths (Wolves, Part II) & Autumnal Reaper.


Those tour dates became as far as I know the last shows with Joakim Af Gravf as vocalist with the band. Everything he did with Marduk were brilliant in my opinion. Joakim Göthberg which is his real name did a guest appearance on the Rom 5:12 (2007) album.

Joakim was replaced by Erik "Legion" Hagstedt in 1995. Legion was previously in Ophthalamia and were vocalist on their excellent 2nd album Via Dolorosa (1995).

Like many other bands did at the time Marduk started recording at The Abyss Studio for the follow-up Heaven Shall Burn... When We Are Gathered (1996) with Peter Tägtgren from Hypocrisy.

At first I hated the production on that album but now I actually regard it as the best album of the "Legion era". I changed my opinion drastically on that record since I ranked all Marduk albums about 2 years ago. Okay it's almost a tie with Panzer Division Marduk (1999) but a topic for a future post.

The legacy that Opus Nocturne left behind 25 years later is as strong as it was back in 1994. At least for me. Whenever I hear Joakim screaming "praise hail Satan" in the beginning of Sulphur Souls I know it's a 43 minutes ride into the BEST SWEDISH BLACK METAL of the 90's.

It's not my nostalgia for this album talking! As always Praise Hail Marduk!

Bonus! The Marduk and Immortal split shirt from the Sons Of Northern Darkness tour. Picture from user "fab cas" on tshirtslayer.com.

10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF MARANATHA BY FUNERAL MIST

Today on the 23rd of February marks the 10 year anniversary since the release my 3rd favorite album of all time being released.

I own all the vinyl releases of this 2 x LP release. But to get a better picture mainly for my post on Instagram I only picked out 1 LP per release. Forgot to include some t-shirts and stickers on the picture I might fix that. Soon...

Missing some CD releases like The Ajna Offensive and Season Of Mist ones but I'll get those eventually they're not expensive nor hard to come by and I have no hurry.

Here is the 1st print 2009 LP (the one in the middle), the Trisagion 5-LP box 2013 release, the 2017 reissue LP and the original 2009 CD all released on Norma Evangelium Diaboli. It's worth buying that CD alone just for the 28-page booklet that has a lot of additional artwork that appeals to me.

Have mentioned this so many times before... That I don’t like to say any band is my favorite but if I had to pick one Funeral Mist would be my choice. Know that while reading this post.

About 1.5 years ago for my post number 300 on Instagram I listed my top-3 albums. I still stand behind my choices that was made back then.

But I could go into if this is my 3rd favorite record ever or if it’s really The Somberlain (1993) by Dissection. It comes down to how such a list is done but I’m not dedicating this post to that topic.

Will say for sure it’s the best album of this millennium though. Even if the previous Funeral Mist album Salvation (2003) is almost as brilliant.

But to choose between Maranatha or Salvation is also very hard. I mean which is your favorite of these ones?

• Blood Fire Death or Under The Sign Of The Black Mark
• Storm of the Light’s Bane or The Somberlain
• In The Nightside Eclipse or Anthems To The Welkin At Dusk
• Filosofem or Det Som En Gang Var

Can go on with more examples but there’s a very fine line between all those records and I could debate them for days. Also which Funeral Mist release is best.

Have to admit that I didn’t really like Maranatha the first time I heard it. Salvation had set such an extremely high new standard for how Black Metal in the 2000's could sound like. But I also feel that Maranatha isn’t as approachable as Salvation if you ask me.

Not saying Salvation is a commercial Black Metal album because it’s most definitely isn’t.

Think Arioch took a risk with Maranatha I will not go into a song by song review here because I think of it as a whole full experience. He could have failed but he succeeded when some questioned some songs I hail them as brilliancy.

In my opinion Arioch wrote more weirder, twisted & sinister things on Maranatha then on Salvation but we're talking about nitpicking things here. Because both are outstanding masterpieces both albums that bands only could dream about recording once in their entire career.

Know that some don’t like the cover but it’s probably my favorite Funeral Mist artwork. I would at least put it among my top-3 Funeral Mist designs and since their first release Promo 95' there's been so many different artworks inside booklets, on t-shirts, posters and so on.

Anyway the cover art is very fitting for the experience Maranatha gives me. Which with some petty words are very hard to express.

MEPHORASH x 3

The Third Woe (2018) a 7” single released by Shadow Records limited to 500 copies.

1557: Rites Of Nullification (2015) LP limited to 350 copies released by the Polish label Witching Hour Productions/Odium Records. There's also a "die-hard edition" of this vinyl limited to 50 copies. That one come included with a 120-paged pocket book!

Sfaíra Ti̱s Fo̱tiás (2015) a 12" vinyl EP reissue from 2017 on Shadow Records limited to 500 copies.

Hate to start of any post with namedropping a bunch of other bands. But my fellow countrymen in Mephorash has a very prominent vocalist within the scene. Jonas Tengner aka. Nord from the great Malign also vocalist on two amazing Ofermod releases, especially their EP Mystérion Tés Anomias (1998).

He's officially one of the two vocalists for Mephorash the other original vocalist Mashkelah M'Ralaa (Oskar Myrberg). Although N. Tengner were one of the four guest vocalists used on their 3rd album 1557: Rites Of Nullification.

Also the Mephorash guitarist Mishbar Bovmeph (Erik Andersson) did a short appearance with Malign. Between 2014 to 2015 where he called himself  Evig (that's Swedish for Eternal) and played guitar on the EP A Sun To Scorch (2015).

Since Mephorash started 2010 in Uppsala, Sweden although the 3 original members remain. There’s been a bunch of different members within the band especially drummers and bass players have come and gone. Some of them were just live musicians for the band.

Besides these 3 releases the band has 2 other full-length albums in their discography. The debut album Death Awakens (2011) and the follow-up Chalice Of Thagirion (2013) both released by Grom Records and only available on CD. I actually only listened to them once through Spotify (yeah naughty me I know...) and from what I remember they sounded great especially the 2nd album.

In 2013 a split 10” with the North American band Ashencult called Opus Serpens was released. Mephorash does one great song that's approx 9,5 minutes long called Atramentous Ungod Aspect have to hunt down a copy of that one someday because the song is fucking amazing.

Actually wasn’t aware of Mephorash's music until they got signed with Shadow Records. Know I'm repeating myself but so many quality titles has been released since Marcus Tena reappeared in the scene and resurrected his legendary record company.

There's too many to mention them all. But will say that I think both Mephorash and Voodus have the potential to become huge. Shadow Records will have to promote the hell out of them because they do deserve to reach their full potential as bands. Also make sure to grab those vinyls now while they're still available! Because they are usually limited to 500 copies.

Anyway lets get into the ones in this post finally. Like I mentioned earlier on the 1557: Rites Of Nullification record they use 4 different guest vocalists:

N. Tengner on the opening song Riphyon - The Tree Of Assiyah Putrescent.
The Greek K. Koudousnes from Serpent Noir among others on the 3rd song Cheidolun - Breaking The Blade Of Beriah.
On the last one Berberioth - Vandalising the Throne Of Atziluth they have the the Italian called Omega A.D. aka. Thorns the drummer from Blut aus Nord a man of MANY bands.
Also Deacon. D or Walter Tölg like many of these guest vocalists another man of MANY bands gets credits for additional vocals.

Altogether a brilliant record the songs are 9.5 to almost 12 min long and it's a 42.5 min great ride. Instead of me trying to mention any bands that sounds similar to Mephorash I urge anyone into Black Metal to check out this amazing album.

I will also say that their inspiration isn't looking backwards they look forward and this is where new Black Metal should strive to sound like.

The sole reason for me even getting aware of Mephorash is thanks to Tena reissuing the EP Sfaíra Ti̱s Fo̱tiás in 2017. Otherwise Mephorash could’ve went under my radar for even longer.

The EP Sfaíra Ti̱s Fo̱tiás originally released just a few weeks before the album in August of 2015 on a 10" vinyl limited to 300 copies by Hell Attacks Productions. Like the album its sound is very impressive by the young members of Mephorash that were about 21 years old at the time of the release. Sure young age and excellent Black Metal isn't a new phenomena within the scene I mean just look at the 90's.

What I want to get to is that it sounds very "mature" something that a band with a 20+ year old career could do. Sfaíra Ti̱s Fo̱tiás is absolute greatness and a most have in any collection just like the album.

But I saved the best for last...

The 2-song 7” single The Third Woe might be my favorite among all these releases in this post.

Should The Third Woe have a place on my already published 12 best releases of 2018 list? Well yes and no. With just 2 songs it’s hard to compete with albums, sure the Unanimated EP made it on there with just 4 songs. It also didn't help that the competition was murder last year in terms of quality releases.

I actually don't own a ton of 7" vinyls if it isn't something really spectacular or favorite bands like Marduk, Darkthrone, Isengard, Dismember etc. to name a few. But I also collect vinyls by those bands.

So for me to buy a 7" from a rather unknown band is in my world a big deal. It also gives you a perspective how good I think that Mephorash are.

The band is really in their prime right now and I really expect them to release a crushing album on April the 18th called Shem Ha Mephorash on Shadow Records. I already pre-ordered my copy at the Helter Skelter bandcamp

It's been announced that it will be a 2 x LP release (CD, cassette & digital also of course) with 8 songs done in 74 minutes. One song is available for streaming (download if you pre-ordered) I'm struggling with not doing that because I want it physically in my hands.

The song 777: Third Woe from the 7" is on the album and it's an indication that it will be one hell of a record. In the meanwhile get these releases!

Update 190303
-------------------
A a new promo video from the upcoming Mephorash album Shem Ha Mephorash has been released it's called Sanguinem. It sounds absolutely amazing! Can't wait for the album release in about 1.5 month.

Support the band and Shadow Records by pre-ordering it over at the Helter Skelter bandcamp also enjoy!

MARDUK - WARSCHAU (2005)

On a reissue gold double vinyl that comes with a poster to limited 200 copies released on Century Media in 2018.

I also included the cover variant that's on the slipcase from the 2005 CD. It's the same image inside the gatefold but that one is slightly altered. I really enjoy the design of this vinyl release.

It’s been awhile since I posted something on Marduk have owned this record for months now so it’s about damn time to write about it. Have been caught up in the music by Bathory for quite some time now.

This release was done to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Marduk. Since Mortuus/Arioch had joined and Devo had returned to the band this were their 3rd release.

Warschau is in my opinion the very best Marduk live album. If I was to rate it among my favorite Black Metal live records of all time it would be very high up there. Definitely a top-3 worthy release.

What makes it special is the unfiltered, raw, harsh recording. While Live In Germania (1997) felt like it had quite many things rerecorded in the studio.

The songs are of course very important whenever a band releases a live record. Already 15 years ago when this was recorded Marduk had released 9 studio albums and a bunch of EP’s. So there’s a lot to choose from.

Great to hear Mortuus do vocals on 5 of the old classics from when Andreas Axelsson (1990-93) and Joakim Af Gravf (1993-95)  were vocalists. The songs are pretty predictable though:

• The Black...
• Burn My Coffin
• On Darkned Wings
• Wolves
• Sulphur Souls

Also the 6 ones from the Legion era, the 3 last are from World Funeral (2003). I don't mind that at all even if I rate it their 3rd "worst" album I also rate it maybe their most underrated record:

• Slay The Nazarene
• Panzer Division Marduk
• Azrael
• With Satan And Victorious Weapons
• Bleached Bones
• To The Death's Head True

6 of the 17 songs on this album are from the then almost 1 year old Plague Angel (2004) that do I consider to be my 4th favorite Marduk album. I got no complains about the songs from that one:

• The Hangman Of Prague
• Seven Angels, Seven Trumpets
• Blutrache
• Steel Inferno
• Throne Of Rats
• Warschau

Always when a band got such an amazing and extensive discography as Marduk one will always wish for own personal favorites. Even if they did many from Heaven Shall Burn... When We Are Gathered (1996) on the Live In Germania album with Legion. I wanted at least 1 or more songs from that record.

Others I personally would like them to have recorded are some more from the Dark Endless (1992) and Fuck Me Jesus (1991) releases. Only one from my favorite Marduk album Opus Nocturne (1994) is far too few. I would be pleased with just one of these From Subterranean Throne Profound, The Sun Has Failed or Materialized In Stone..

But enough about the songs who is on it or isn't! It's the performance that I'm most pleased with.

Warschau was recorded in the city with the same name, Warsaw in English, located in Poland during their Deathmarch Tour in September of 2005.

What makes this the best Marduk live album is not just because it sounds fucking amazing. Once again I’ve got to give praise to Mortuus for this who I consider to be the best vocalist in the entire Black Metal scene.

Said this many times before but what he has done in Marduk, Funeral Mist and do not forget about Triumphator has only been beaten once. By Attila Csihar on the best album of all time the Mayhem classic De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas (1994).

I highly recommend buying the phenomenal Marduk DVD Blood Puke Salvation (2006). It was also was recorded during the tour for the Plague Angel album mostly during December of 2004.

And as always Praise Hail Marduk!

BATHORY - BLOOD ON ICE (1996); NORDLAND I (2002) & II (2003)

The Blood On Ice vinyl is a reissue from 2003 that comes on one LP by Black Mark Production.

The Nordland I & II is a compilation reissue from 2013 that comes on 2 vinyls released on Black Mark Production.

Bathory viking era part II of II. Finally conclude this short series this has been ready at the blog for quite some time now but due to Instagram's text limitations it took me awhile before I could write a version I was okay with over there. Anyway...

All the Jubileum I - III compilation albums showed there were still some gold left in the Bathory vaults. I'm not gonna go through them all here. Also in interviews with Quorthon it had been reveled that there was a unreleased Viking Metal album in his possession that was rumoured almost finished also.

That album was the concept album Blood On Ice it would have been the 5th Bathory album and it should have been released before Hammerheart (1990). However Quorthon was worried at the time how the fans would feel about this drastic change of style and it was the reason it was never being released.

But the legend that Blood On Ice was a nearly finished album was clearly an exaggeration. That Quorthon himself states in the CD booklet that was included in the original release.

I remember that The Lake appeared on some compilation CD in 1996 that came with a Swedish Metal magazine called CU-Magazine I had subscribed to since 1994 (still do). That was an amazing song and it's still my favorite on Blood On Ice. Listened so damn much to that one in the summer of 1996.

However I didn’t buy Blood On Ice at its release in May of 1996 though. Not sure if I had Twilight Of The Gods and Hammerheart on CD at the time because I was very pleased with the songs included on Jubileum I & II from those albums. Remember those were the two of the six first Bathory albums I bought last at the same time might've been as late as 1997/98.

When I heard Blood On Ice at my local record stores I just couldn’t get into it. Also being 16 years old one had to prioritize which records to buy. Think I tried at least 3 or 4 times at least and no one I knew had the album

Eventually bought the CD when I got my first job a few years later. It still took quite some time before I thought of it as the masterpiece it really is. Would say it’s my 3rd favorite of among the Bathory Viking Metal albums.

Heard so many different % numbers regarding the material on Blood On Ice being recorded in 3 sessions February and October of 1988 also in June of 1989. But I don’t know if any of that's true?

Knowing how Quorthon was I believe MUCH from the 1980’s were re-recorded at the Hellhole Studio in Stockholm in June and July of 1995. Sometimes when I listen to the album I try and pinpoint which part might be from 80's recording. But who really knows?

There is a double edged sword. I want... But also don't... That all the mysteries surrounding Bathory would be reveled by now. The two men with all the answers are both dead now...

But I don't want someone like Jonas Åkerlund who claimed just 1.5 years ago on a Swedish Metal podcast that he played drums on their debut Bathory (1984). While he in fact only recorded 2 songs with Bathory. Sacrifice and The Return Of Darkness And Evil from the Scandinavian Metal Attack (1984) split compilation.

If one wants there's a ton of Bathory/Quorthon interviews to go through in magazines and fanzines many that are posted online.

One of the best articles I ever read about Bathory was the 22 pages special that was in Sweden Rock Magazine issues #1/2015 and #2/2015 by Thomas Väänänen (ex. Thyrfing). Where he does a very interesting interview with Börje "Boss" Forsberg (1944 - 2017) the father of Ace "Quorthon" Forsberg.

There's also interviews with Vvornth, Frederick Melander, Ann Boleyn, Peter Stjärnvind, Tore "Necromorbus" Stjerna, Micke Broberg and Cliff Lundberg. I'm not aware of any English translation online sadly. But if you're a serious Bathory collector I think it's worth getting those two magazines anyway. Some amazing photos and other gems are included there.

Another wish that I really would like to have come true is all the unreleased Bathory songs that's said to be kept somewhere to get released. Read somewhere and totally understand why and shouldn't have to explain that Boss did not want to release those while he was still alive. After the tragic death of his son in 2004.

Me, everybody and their mother thought that the compilation albums In Memory of Quorthon Volume I - III (2006) would probably include every or at least a some of the unreleased Bathory songs. But those records although filled with excellent material by the legendary Quorthon (1966 - 2004) failed big time in that department. However I respect Boss decision there.

To give you an idea of what there's supposed to exist:

• EP recorded after Bathory (1984) either called Necronomicon or Maleficarum Quorthon did not remember which.
• In 1985 a Black Metal album called Occulta was recorded.
• 28 songs recorded in 1987 between Under The Sign Of The Black Mark & Blood Fire Death.
• Between 1986-88 Bathory experimented a lot and 20 to 30 songs was recorded for a double album called Valhalla some of songs ended up on the Hammerheart, Blood Fire Death, Blood On Ice.and on the Jubileum compilations.
• After Hammerheart Quorthon wanted to play brutal music again a album called Requiem (NOTHING like the 1994 one with the same name) with 6 or 7 songs were recorded some not all finished. The brilliant Crawl To Your Cross is supposedly from that session that appeared on Jubileum I.

There's even MORE material but those are the ones I'm most interested in. Don't know how complete any of those recordings are but even if they were just demo, rehearsal or unfinished songs without vocals. I would still buy it all that without any hesitation. 

Anyway let's finally get into Blood On Ice after all those words. Sometimes I tend drift too far from the subject, this was all Bathory related at least.

Released on the 27th of May in 1996. After an intro the title track Blood On Ice gets it started and although not the best song it serves its purpose good enough for the album. Then follows a bunch of amazing songs. Man Of Iron a great 2,5 min track with an acoustic guitar and Quorthon's vocals there's some other elements on it but a great one.

Then a personal favorite the fast paced One Eyed Old Man that has a great break in the middle with an old man speaking before the song kick off again.

The Sword and The Stallion are almost equally as great maybe The Stallion being just slightly better. The Woodwoman is another great song a bit uneven for it being a favorite but still this is so good that many bands would be lucky to have written in their entire career.

I have listened too The Lake so much in my days but I never get tired by it. My absolute favorite on Blood On Ice by far. Misinterpreted the lyrics on that one for many years... Heard something completely different then:
"At the bottom of the lake. My two eyes will shine like the stars At the bottom of the lake I will see no matter how near or far"
but that's besides the point a clear 10 out of 10 song.

Although I don't like the sound or the guitar intro to Gods Of Thunder Of Wind And Of Rain when the drums kick in the song takes off it's one of my favorites on the album. It's follow by 1 minute The Ravens just Quorthon and an acoustic guitar. In my opinion that one should have ended Blood On Ice.

However the longest song on it the almost 10 minutes long The Revenge Of The Blood On Ice comes next. It's not a bad song I do like it but it feels like it written in a hurry and feels unnecessary it could been some bonus song for some reissue even if Bathory never did that.

The almost 54 minutes long Blood On Ice was a great release. Just wished that I had realized it earlier when it was initially released in the 1996. But albums that grows on you with time usually gives you more in the end.

Also got to mention the beautiful cover artwork that a man that doesn't need any introduction did on all these records Kristian "Necrolord" Wåhlin. The original Nordland I and II artwork are the same just inverted and the color are changed. I really like the one used on this compilation LP.

Actually Nordland I & II are only available on picture disc LP's if you want them on standalone vinyls. That's why I bought the compilation although picture discs looks amazing it's seldom I play any of those because in my experience they're too fragile. But I would buy them separately if they were available.

I’m so glad the 2 last albums from Quorthon was as amazing as the Nordland I & II were. Because the previous one Destroyer Of Worlds (2001) was very close to being a complete train wreck with too many different elements/directions. Although that was the idea with that record, to please every fan or each era of Bathory... More on that in another post..

They are of course very closely connected musically. As they were released very close to each other Nordland I in November of 2002, Nordland II in March of 2003 and recorded at the same time I assume.

If you've read this interview published in August of 2001 there Quorthon states that it would be 1 album with 14-15 songs. So it was meant to be released as just as one single album. Other interesting links can be found over at Bathory Hordes.

Have to say that I'm glad that in the end they released Nordland in two parts with 20 songs just more Bathory greatness in my opinion.

There’s so many amazing songs on these two. From the instrumental bombastic epic intros Prelude & Fanfare on both albums. Epic is a word I would use for many of my favorites of these two.

I'll try to pick out just a few favorites (because they're many): Nordland, Winterblot, Dragon Breath, Ring Of Gold and Great Hall Awaits Fallen Brother from from part I.

And from part II: Blooded Shore, Sea Wolf, The Land, Death And Resurrection Of A Northern Son and The Messenger.

Excellent Bathory epic timeless sounding tracks. Do think that maybe part I is better throughout while part II has better "highlights". But they're so closely connected that I see them as basically one album.

Have to admit though when Nordland I & II were announced I wasn't that interested in them and took me many years to realize their greatness. Destroyer Of Worlds, Octagon especially but also Requiem that I do like, had really tarnished the Bathory name a bit and it wasn't obvious to purchase them at release.

I felt at the time that going back to the Viking Metal style seemed like Quorthon was reaching a bit and I didn't expect them to be any good. Fucking hell how wrong I was!

With these two posts one can say I ranked all the "viking albums" and except for Twilight Of The Gods that I consider to be the best one. As far as Hammerheart; Blood On Ice and Nordland I & II goes they aren’t that far apart in terms of quality.

That should give you a basic idea of just how brilliant Nordland I & II truly are.

And with that I conclude this series. Don't know what Bathory subject I'll tackle next but have some ideas because I've been lost in Quorthon's music since last autumn.

VOODUS - INTO THE WILD (2018)

On a 2 x LP that comes with a A2 poster released by the legendary Shadow Records and limited to 500 copies.

Get yourself NOW! Because I think this one will be a cult classic within the scene for many years to come.

The Into The Wild album was just as its predecessor EP recorded in one of my favorite studios of all time. Necromorbus with Tore Stjerna (mixing & mastering) who's credentials I don't have to write about. Although the producing & engineering was done by Valkyrja guitarist/vocalist Simon Wizén. This record sounds absolutely fucking amazing.

I always make sure to check out what Shadow Records are releasing. You should too! When I listened to Into The Wild over at the Helter Skelter Bandcamp I immediately got sold on it.

Repeating myself but the Dissection name should be used with great care, when it comes to namedropping it for any band. There’s a couple of exceptions and Voodus is another one who gets a pass. Inside the gatefold they make sure to thank Dissection, Jon Nödtveidt and other associates from that legendary band as a source of inspiration.

Definitely a huge Dissection 90's influence and presence on Into The Wild much more then on the EP (that was dedicated to Jon). However when done properly it can be as excellent as on this album.

Would also say if you enjoy In The Light Of Darkness (2009) by Unanimated you should listen to this album because it reminds me somewhat of that underrated masterpiece. Watain has also been mentioned I've never been a fan of them so I don't know anything about that.

All references aside Voodus can definitely stand proud on their own and in my ears they should be huge in the scene right now.

From the amazing opening intro song The Awakening And The Ascension one can hear this is going to be one interesting ride. Well into the wild... Couldn't said it better myself. Except for the second song The Golden with its 5 min 45 sec the others average around 8-9 minutes but feels way shorter like great music tends to do.

The only exception of the following 6 songs is Dreams from an Ancient Mind Pt I with its 1.5 min. My favorite song is probably Communion Amid The Graves is how I envisioned how a follow-up to Storm Of The Light's Bane should've sounded like. The ending The Terrain Of Moloch clocks in at just over 14 minutes and is a great end to an amazing record.

Into The Wild is the first Voodus full length album before this one they had released two EP’s. The amazing 2-song Serpent Seducer Saviour (2017) that I own on a 10” LP that's another Shadow Records release.

Also NightQueen from 2015 haven’t actually heard that one, yet. But will have to track it down one day. It has only been released on CD and cassette-tape by Heathen Tribes and Jawbreaker Records.

From 2004 to 2015 all the members of Voodus were in a band called Jormundgand released the album Visions Of The Past, Which Has Not Yet Come To Be... (2014) also two demos. Haven't heard anything from Jormundgand but I'll check it out someday.

The sole reason for me getting into Voodus is that they are signed to Shadow Records I always been a huge fan of Marcus Tena's label from the late 90's. Since he resurrected the company from the shadows in 2016 with a reissue of Sorhin's masterpiece Apokalypsens Ängel (2000) there's been MANY amazing bands I've discovered.

When my top-12 list of 2018 was posted I didn’t own this Into The Wild LP and had only listened to it very sparsely because I wanted it physically in my hands. Now with better knowledge it should’ve been included. Would place it around number 8 or 9 maybe even higher only had it just for a couple of days so it's hard to say.

That’s the thing about posting best of year lists. One should probably wait sometime into the next year before doing them. At least I feel that but then again last year was exceptional amazing. Got two albums on the way that could affect my 2018 list and there's more records from last year I'm going to buy.

Also there's some records that I haven't listened to enough that people rave on about how great they were. Maybe I'll redo/update my best of 2018 list or it might be better just to do a version 2.0 later sometime during 2019. Anyway enough of the past.

Cannot recommend Into The Wild, Voodus and Shadow Records enough. I’m extremely interested what the future will look like for this brilliant band.

FUNERAL MIST - SALVATION (2003) VINYLS & POSTERS x 3

This crown jewel of an album had its 15th anniversary earlier this year and here's my complete vinyl collection of them all. Included the Salvation from the Trisagion (2013) vinyl boxset that also consists of Devilry and Maranatha.

Have already posted a similar complete vinyl collection of Devilry (1998) earlier this year check it out here if you're interested. Don't own nearly as many CD's of Salvation as Devilry only have the original Norma Evangelium Diaboli CD from 2003. The ones I'm looking out for most are the one on The Ajna Offensive from 2006 & the Season Of Mist from 2012. Will have more with time but I'm not in any hurry.

First out one of my biggest gems in my entire collection and it’s never about fucking monetary value in these cases. Salvation means something for me, something much more then money can buy.

Salvation ‎(2 x LP) 2003 Norma Evangelium Diaboli

The layout of the 2003 release I like the most. Only Arioch (& Dauthus on this release) can create that weird, twisted, sinister, sick & astonishing design. Brilliant poster, the pictures of the “band” & lyrics inlay are amazing.

The marks/branding of the pics might be a bit overkill but I don't like it whenever some shithead at Instagram uses my images from my collection. Which have happened on numerous occasions.

Salvation ‎(2 x LP) from the 2013 Trisagion boxset Norma Evangelium Diaboli

The 5 x LP Trisagion (2013) boxset naturally includes Salvation. Haven’t actually played any of those LP’s because I want to keep them as pristine as possible. Great design once again but the box only comes with 1 poster. However it’s my favorite Funeral Mist poster of the 9 different official ones that I own.

Salvation ‎(2 x LP) reissue 2017 Norma Evangelium Diaboli

In 2017 all 3 releases were reissued, likely to high demand and the expensive prices. The cover artwork has a slightly different color, it looks like the Trisagion one. Almost not notable with my crappy iPhone camera. 

Inside the gatefold there’s a great Arioch picture & the lyrics. Although a great piece of artwork on the poster but I think it has a bit too much dark grey color. As does the 2 other 2017 reissue posters.

Salvation ‎(CD) 2003 Norma Evangelium Diaboli

Chose to include this one also. Because it's worth buying the CD copy just for the 16-page booklet alone. It got even more artwork then the vinyl releases and esthetics that really pleases my eyes.

This is one of my favorite Black Metal albums of all time. If I ever did a list of my best records 2000-18 Salvation would be in 2nd place. Don’t expect such list from me though it's too hard. Actually tried once but gave up. I can say that lots of Funeral Mist, Marduk, Wardruna etc. at the top but also some newer bands. But never say never...

A bit off-topic but I do prefer Maranatha just a little bit more over Salvation but it's like choosing between Storm Of The Light's Bane and The Somberlain by Dissection and that's EXTREMELY difficult.

Any which way you own Salvation is the right way (not a download one or burnt CD-copy though). When you got it in your hands you will feel the magic within this masterpiece.

BATHORY - HAMMERHEART (1990) & TWILIGHT OF THE GODS (1991)

Hammerheart the limited edition gatefold first print vinyl on Noise International. Not often that I find such gems as this one in my own midsized Swedish hometown (approx 100 000).

Twilight Of The Gods vinyl is a 2003 reissue on Black Mark Production.

Been listening too Bathory extensively for quite some time so I thought of doing a 2 part series of their viking albums. This is part I or II:

Hammerheart & Twilight Of The Gods were the 5th & 6th Bathory albums. Hammerheart being the first release in their "viking era". Sure there were hints of it with songs like Odens Ride Over Nordland; A Fine Day To Die and also the title track from their previous Blood Fire Death (1988) record.
Other bands had released viking themed songs long before. But here Bathory go all into full Viking Metal mode and the Hammerheart album was the first of its kind.

Believe I bought both these albums on CD back in 1996 it could maybe even been in 1997 at the same time. Because the Jubileum I & II compilations had many of the best songs and being 16 years old one had to prioritize albums to buy.

Hammerheart didn't quite blow me away like the albums Blood Fire Death; Under The Sign Of The Black Mark; The Return and the debut Bathory had done. I appreciated the songs that appeared on the compilations especially Shores In Flames and Song To Hall Up High.

But it didn't take long before I realized just how excellent the album really is. It starts perfectly with the already mentioned Shores In Flames and it's 11 min of pure amazing Scandinavian Viking/Black Metal at its finest. Then another excellent song Valhalla also a long one 9,5 min.

Already 2 songs into Hammerheart one can hear especially where especially the early Viking/Pagan Metal bands from the Norwegian Black Metal scene found their inspiration. Bathory were truly the godfathers of the Scandinavian scene.

Baptised In Fire And Ice and Father To Son are both amazing songs and just like almost all the other songs on the album quite long but feels way shorter. Actually the shortest song on the album is the 2,5 min long Song To Hall Up High.

I'm not sure when Home Of The Once Brave was written. But it sounds more like something like a less refined song from the follow-up Twilight Of The Gods rather then a Hammerheart song. Still one of my favorites on the record though.

Now for a long and maybe controversial topic. I really like One Rode To Asa Bay but I got to be in the right mood to fully appreciate it. Still one of their most overrated songs in my opinion. It wouldn't be my choice to make a promo video for that one from Hammerheart. The video they did was really impressive and spectacular though.

Don't know but I have this love/hate relation to One Rode To Asa Bay. Love and hate are very strong words that I wouldn't use for it but those describes my feelings for the song best.

The 10,5 min feels very long sometimes when I listen to it. Also I wouldn't have it as late on the record either. That's my opinion on One Rode To Asa Bay let's move on.

Altogether Hammerheart is an amazing album and my 2nd favorite of the viking records and that's definitely a great rating for it. The highs might be a little better on Hammerheart but I think that Twilight Of The Gods is a much more even record and the best one of all the viking albums Bathory did.

Starting with the 14 min title track Prologue - Twilight of the Gods - Epilogue the sound and production is more refined on this album and it already shows in the opening song. Even if it's a great opener I can hear why it was the ending song of the compilation Jubileum II.

Also I think that Quorthon's vocals has evolved so much for the better on Twilight Of The Gods.

Through Blood By Thunder is another song that appeared on one of the Jubileum albums and is a personal favorite on the album. The 10,5 min Blood And Iron is another one that I really enjoy.

I know that it sounds like I'm repeating myself I'll try and mix it up the text a bit. Under The Runes is a top-3 song on this album amazing guitars on that one. To Enter Your Mountain begins with this Folk music feeling to it and guess what? I think it's a great song even if I know some don't like that particular one.

Bond Of Blood has a very interesting story behind it. That one was recorded as In Nomine Satanas in 1987 and that version wasn't released until Jubileum Volume III (1998). The lyrics are of course way different from each other. Both versions are great but I do prefer Bond Of Blood slightly more maybe because I heard it for so long before on Jubileum II in 1995. It's in my- top 3 songs on this record.

The song Hammerheart that confusingly appears on Twilight Of The Gods does really stand out on the record because it's so different from the other material. It took me many listens before I learned to like that one but when I did it's a really great song.

That's my opinions on Hammerheart and Twilight Of The Gods two brilliant records that should belong in any serious collection. I don't know many who prefer Twilight Of The Gods over Hammerheart but if you're one of them feel free to leave me a comment.

I'll do post II about Blood On Ice (1996); Nordland I (2002) and Nordland II (2003) soon. Usually don't do the same band two times in a row so we'll what I post next.

NECROPHOBIC - MARK OF THE NECROGRAM (2018)

on a gatefold vinyl released on Century Media that also comes with a double sided poster. One horizontal and one vertical a really nice addition to this release.

Next year Necrophobic will have their 30th anniversary but these guys show no sign of slowing down. In fact I think that Mark Of The Necrogram is better then both their two previous albums Womb Of Lilithu (2013) and Death To All (2009). And those two are really great.

The release of the EP Pesta (2017) with the title track of that 2-song EP was a clear indication that the album was going to be great. But I really didn’t think it would be as excellent as it final product proved to be.

The production and the sound on Mark Of The Necrogram is another amazing thing. It was recorded with Fredrik Folkare (Unleashed, Firespawn etc.) at the Chrome Studio. That’s a really great location for many releases. Also got to mention the astonishing cover art done by the legendary Kristian “Necrolord” Wåhlin. I don't think I have to mention all the album cover art he has had his hands on throughout the years.

The album is great throughout but some of my favorites are Mark of the Necrogram; Odium Caecum; Tsar Bomba; Pesta; Requiem For A Dying Sun; From the Great Above to the Great Below and the ending instrumental Undergången.

A bit off-topic maybe. But... I always despised whenever someone says that “this band are the Dissection of today” or "continuing the legacy of Dissection". There will never another band like Dissection!!! There is this band that has been called that for quite some time. I don't think they should be mentioned in the same sentence as Dissection.

But if someone says that about Necrophobic (or Unanimated) they will get a free pass. Once at least. I'm probably guilty of it also on some occasion... Anyway that’s how good the Blackened Death Metal of Necrophobic is and has been for many years now.

Will have to fit Mark Of The Necrogram somewhere on my top-?? of 2018. The competition is murder this year so we'll see where it finally lands. My top-5 is pretty much set already but what happens after that we'll just have too see.

An album you definitely should have in your collection this year. Also a great introduction to the amazing world of Necrophobic.