Pestilential Shadows

If you've never before been exposed to Pestilential Shadows, then you might be in for somewhat of a treat, as the band is comprised of members of the brilliant Nazxul, whose last album Iconoclast is hands down the greatest symphonic black metal album to hail from the continent of Australia. But the similarities are more than skin deep, because one could argue that this band was the same entity, minus the heavy use of synthesizers, but nearly as epic in atmosphere. Pestilential Shadows focus fully on the mood created by the driving guitar chords, and Depths sees the band at their best to date.

They've got a knack for using familiar sounding note progressions and putting just enough passion behind them that they feel fresh and adventurous. "Lost Geists of the Sunlight Sphere" is spacious and voluminous, its swelling debris of dampened melodies casting off shadows that resonate in the listener's mind long after, while the breakdown segues explore minimal, psyche rock influence with cleaner guitars, bass grooves and haunted whispers. It sets the tone for about the entire album, followed by the similar, glorious sadness of "Tribulations of Man", but the Australians also pick up speed through "Choirs Beyond the Blackened Stars" and the ravaging "Architects of the Spear". The brooding ambient passage that opens "Shrine" gives way to the most majestic piece here, and I'm also taken with the drifting sadness that is "Putrid Earth".

In Memoriam, Ill Omen

"In Memoriam, Ill Omen" is a pummeling onslaught of sorrow-drenched riffs with a sonic production that mirrors the early '90s black metal sound, courtesy of guitarist/singer Balam. Featuring past and present members of NAXZUL, RIFT, ILLIUM, FUNERAL MORUNING and many others, "In Memoriam, Ill Omen" is a timeless piece of art that transcends all forms of mournful resentment towards human nature. Recorded and mixed by Balam and mastered by D.Backovic, the CD features stunningly beautiful old-school artwork and layout by Balam

Tracklist:

1. Weapon Against the Sun
2. Beautiful Demise
3. With Serpents I Lay
4. Of Loss and Suffering Inherit
5. For Man and Heaven's Ruin
6. Sundered
7. Ecclesia Moriendi
8. Bathed in Ashes

Click Me

Depths

Depths is quite good, but it's the sort of dreamlike, wide open good that might take some level of absorption and attention that one is not used to when listening through black metal records. The tones here are quite rich, repetitive, fully realized and cognizant of their weight upon the listener. It reminds me slightly of the band Altar of Plagues, or perhaps fellow Australians Austere (Desolate having been in that band), but with a more accessible overall aesthetic, and less tortured vocals.

Tracklist:

1. Lost Geists of the Sunlight Sphere
2. Tribulations of Man
3. Choirs Beyond the Blackened Stars
4. Architects of the Spear
5. Shrine          
6. Poisoner
7. Putrid Earth
8. Depths

Click Me

Abyssic Hate

Abyssic Hate was formed as a one-man project back in the year 1993... and continues to be so to this day. The concept of Abyssic Hate revolves around the incessant belief [which is proven correct time and time again by the various sub-humans who exist on this worthless planet] that: '99.9% of humans should be terminated'. The human race is the most absolute abomination in the history of creation, and with an exceedingly small amount of redeemable features. .. Most releases of Abyssic Hate are produced in extremely limited amounts for various reasons. Quite often the production quality of these demos is very poor, and although it is more than satisfactory to the creator's ears, the general human pubic like to echo the voice of their idols. Simply put, Abyssic Hate is above criticism from some pathetic teenage human whose 'claim to metal fame' is some worthless 'zine or some thoughtless demo. May they rot in their world of Dimmu Borgir, Impaled Nazarene and Cradle of Filth. As this is an 'anti-human black metal' project, is seems only natural to limit the availability of such misanthropic releases to this ugly species. .. Several recordings have been created over the past years, so it may appropriate to quickly catalogue these for those curious: .. Cleansing of an Ancient Race - Extremely rough-sounding demo which was produced in a 'proper' 24-track studio. This recording brings out a similar hatred to that of early black metal Darkthrone and although released in only 100 copies, the response was unfortunately amazing... but it was also embraced by the 'underground', which was welcome news, and it led to the deals with cult labels Darker Than Black and No Colours, both in Germany. Recorded and mixed in twelve hours, released in October 1994, sold out by the completion of the year. .. Depression - This unreleased tape catalogued some music which was written shortly after Cleansing of an Ancient Race and in a similar vein. This sound of this was very flat, and so it was never released except to good friends and long time allies of the project. All of these songs either ended up on later recordings or changed so much over the course of time they more or less became new songs. .. Life is a Pain in the Neck - Limited to only 10 copies, this is one of the most superior recordings of Abyssic Hate. The production of this 56-minute cassette is quite good [with a strong underground feeling] and the songs are truly epic. Due to the lack of vocals which many beings seem to have a problem with, the attitude 'fuck humans' was adopted again and the tape was never 'officially' released. These three tracks are to be re-recorded and released as the upcoming Suicidal Emotions LP on No Colours. .. United by Heathen Blood - When Det Hedenske Folk suggested this release, it seemed like a good idea - and indeed it was! Two bands who were united against Christianity and commercialism in metal on the one release. The demos of both bands were featured on this CD (Det Hedenske Folk's remixed demo, Abyssic Hate's re-mastered demo) and for the first time, it was printed in an unlimited amount to satisfy any human interest in either project. The demo of Abyssic Hate was cleaned up slightly for this CD release, although its original raw qualities are still strikingly sharp in comparison to most 'extreme' bands. .. Eternal Damnation - This release had been planned some years ago and there were many delays [from Abyssic Hate]. After seemingly endless problems, with pride it was released on Darker Than Black, and it contained 20 minutes of basic pure, harsh, evil noise! This mCD was limited to 500 copies and has one of the most ugly sounds ever heard. Fast, primitive and hateful, it was a return to the glory days of 1991. The release was quickly hated by almost everyone - perfect! Abyssic Hate's purpose is to inspire such emotions, and if it produced unlimited hate, then the purpose was achieved! A cover version of a track by Absurd was included as both a tribute to their inspiring musical creations and also to hail their many years of work in the underground. .. Betrayed - This track was never officially put down onto any recording in the past for some reason. No Colours required an unreleased [if possible] track for the No Colours Compilation Vol. 2 CD, so the perfect opportunity became available to highlight this important track. Slow, depressing, profound sorrow - if one human can terminate their life to this song, then it has indeed been the most successful recording to date for Abyssic Hate. Betrayed was also produced in cassette form for Australia, due to its limited availability under the Southern Cross. This track will appear on the LP after Suicidal Emotions [working title: Medication LP - although this could be changed in the future]. .. Suicidal Emotions - It can now be announced that after many years of work, the debut full length of Abyssic Hate has been released on No Colours. Featuring three tracks of total depressive qualities, this album is a one-hour funeral of pure sorrow and endless despair. Suicidal Emotions is beyond any criticism and beyond all praise - this is more than music, but a genuine link to the gateway of self-destruction. EMPTY THE EARTH!

A Decade of Hate (Compilation)

Tracklist:

1. Intro (The Demon) 
2. From an Unknown Plane of Existence
3. Cleansing Of An Ancient Race
4. Land Of Impenetrable Darkness
5. Damned for Eternity
6. Tarrasque
7. Bloodletting 
8. Eternal Damnation
9. Knight Of The Living Dead
10. Human Despair
11. Attack!
12. The Blood War
13. The Victory is Ours (Absurd cover)
14. Betrayed

Click Me

Byfrost

The name 'Byfrost' is an alternate spelling of Bivrost/Bifrost, the bridge that connects Midgard and Asgard in norse mythology.

Merging cold, dark, riffs with a touch of the melodic, BYFROST was formed in Bergen, Norway, in 2007 by guitarists HeavyHarms and R.I.P Meister. With HeavyHarms taking vocals, the band recruited a drummer and bass player and recorded and released the “Byfrostmetal” EP in 2008. As is often the case with a fledgling band, the four-piece underwent some personnel changes, and the definitive BYFROST lineup was established when R.I.P Meister switched over to five-string bass and the addition of HELLISH OUTCAST’s formidable drummer Alkolust made this a powerhouse trio to be reckoned with.

With a permanent line up now in place, BYFROST went on to play live both locally and throughout Europe, and in 2009 began work on their first full length album, “Black Earth” which was recorded at the Conclave and Earshot Studios in Bergen, and was produced by Herbrand Larsen (ENSLAVED) and Bjørnar E. Nilsen (VULTURE INDUSTRIES, BLACK HOLE GENERATOR). With ENSLAVED’s Arve Isdal making a guest appearance on the track “Desire”, and with Artwork by Christian Sloan Hall, known for his work with artists such as TESTAMENT, DIMMU BORGIR, SLAYER etc., “Black Earth” was released in early 2010 on Painkiller Records to much critical acclaim.

It is virtually impossible not to bang your head when listening to a BYFROST performance, be it on a studio track or on a stage, and it is the band’s skillfully crafted material, superb musical skills and dynamic stage presence that saw the band selected for some of the most prestigious events in the Norwegian Metal calendar during 2010. With appearances at the Hole in the Sky and Karmoygeddon Festivals, the launch of Terrorizer Magazine’s Norwegian Grindhouse venture, and, along with ENSLAVED, at a special concert to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Bergen’s foremost venue, The Garage, BYFROST has consolidated its reputation as a live band that everyone wants to see.

Of Death

Tracklist:

1. May the Dead Rise
2. Eye for an Eye
3. Buried Alive
4. Of Death
5. Full Force Rage
6. Shadow of Fear
7. Sorgh
8. All Gods are Gone

Click Me

Black Crucifixion

The band was known as Horned Lord for the first few weeks of its existence. The band was create in 1991 in Rovaniemi, Finland.

"We always wanted to do really dark music from our hearts. To create an atmosphere."

Lappland is the most northern area in Scandinavia. From that endless frost and darkness of Finland came Black Crucifixion, a pioneering band in black metal in the beginning of the nineties.

The cult act only released one demo tape "The Fallen One of Flames" (limited to 250 copies) and a mini album "Promethean Gift" (Lethal Records). After that it was all over. The band also recorded albums worth of amazing material in the mid nineties but the tapes were never released.

Black Crucifixion had their own sound that is adored by the few true fans that have had the chance to get their hands on the bands rare releases.

Not much is known about the band members or their career afterwards. They came from nowhere and were gone the same way.

After years of investigation we were able to contact them. They agreed to open their vaults and SoulSeller Records was priviledged to release "The Fallen One of Flames" as a limited 500 copies 10" vinyl. It was sold out immediately. Now we are proud to give you the master piece in CD format, with new liner notes and previously unseen photos.

Also a limited edition of two brand new t-shirt designs will be made. Get yours now, these will be gone in days.

All the artwork for the releases is done by the band members, who are mainly living in the solitude of Finnish woods.

In 2003 SoulSeller Records will release the never before heard "Faustian Dream" album, that was recorded and shelved in the mid nineties. "The Fallen One of Flames" will be released in limited 12" collectors edition with new artwok.

"We were influenced by Celtic Frost, Bathory, Blasphemy and obscure stuff like that combined with the sense of melancoly that is natural for Finnish people but unknown for most cultures. It was never music for the masses and that's why we will probably never release any of this stuff again. Black metal is growing to be a trend and we don't want to part of that." Vocalist Fornicator in 1993.

The Fallen One of Flames

 Tracklist:

1. Intro
2. Flowing Downwards
3. Master Spirit
4. Goddess of Doom (bonus track)
5. Outro

 Click Me

Promethean Gift

Tracklist:

1. Promethean Gift
2. Serpent of Your Holy Garden
3. Journey into Myself (Through a Ritual)
4. Flowing Downwards

Click Me

Faustian Dream

Tracklist:

1. Faustian Dream
2. As Black as the Roses (as Weak as My Smile)
3. Bible Black Tyrant
4. Wrath Without Hate
5. Where Will You Hide
6. Winterkill
7. Scandinavian Melancholy
8. Frailest
9. Faustian Scream

Click Me

Hope of Retaliation

Tracklist:

1. Retaliation
2. Night Birds Sing Your Demise
3. Blood Soaked Snow
4. Bitten by the Long Frosts of Life
5. Where Will You Hide (Live)
6. Master Spirit (Live)
7. Promethean Gift (Live)
8. Serpent of Your Holy Garden (Live)
9. Winterkill (Live)

Click Me

Gris

Previously  called Niflheim.

Neurasthénie was released under the new name, as will all subsequent albums.

It is implied that Orion changed his pseudonym to Icare upon the band's name change.

Neurasthénie

1. Le Neurasthénique
2. The Cold Wind of My Breath is Always Blowing
3. Lueur d'Ombre
4. Where So Many Tombs Were Forgotten
5. Elder Moons
6. Funérailles
7. Aux Serres de la Mélancolie

Click Me

Battle (Col)

Esta es una banda de black metal nacida en Bogotá Colombia en 1992. Estaba integrada por Erlik (Bajo), Storn (Cello), Lestat (Guitarra) y Winds of funeral (vocal), pero desafortunadamente se desintegró. A este banda se le podría llegar a considerar como una da banda de culto del black colombiano, por lo impecable de sus sonidos y la originalidad en el genero. Sin más, su única producción.    

Eternal Darkness and Moon Rises

Tracklist:

1. Dar Vulla Crimes
2. Mi Obscuro Subconciente
3. Hymns of Our Immortality
4. Nocticula
5. Nocternity Love
6. Infernal Drama       
7. Maestra del Tiempo Eterno
8. Storm of Melancholia

Click Me