A modern Swedish black metal classic is once again being made available on vinyl. Nordvis in collaboration with Eisenwald Records – who licensed the first edition – are reissuing Skogen’s 2014 album “I döden”. It comes on 180 g double gold vinyl presented in a gatefold jacket, including an A2 poster with artwork by the late Wolkogniv of Folkingrimm Art.
“I döden” was the band’s fourth studio album, but their first on Nordvis. It has since come to be regarded as Skogen’s defining work, with which they truly made their mark. Following its release, they became a highly sought-after live band. And come the end of 2014, “I döden” could be found on many ‘best of the year’ lists, such as that of Sweden Rock Magazine in their home country.
Going back and listening to it now, seven years later, one can easily see why it left such an impact. While clearly inspired by a number of old genre greats, this is timeless music that has withstood both the test of time and the endless ebbs and flows of fads. Glorious guitar leads merge with subtle keyboard work to create a sonic texture which is solemn and forlorn, but still majestic. Skogen’s use of acoustic guitars and chanted vocals weave together stirring moods that harken back to Ulver’s Bergtatt. “I döden” is a conceptual and musical homage to Nordic darkness and death.
When it comes to Russian Black Metal, there are few bands more iconic than Blackdeath. The progression within their discography is remarkable, quite frankly: a linear evolution starting with the most primitive of monochord black noise, then gradually morphing into the orchestral swarm of blades that is today’s incarnation. Constantly pummelling the boundaries of their own limits, for ten albums straight now.
The new album is not only different to its predecessor, “Phantasmhassgorie”, but also from everything else they’ve done. “Also sprach das Chaos” consists of two songs: 14 and 19 minutes, respectively. Both as glacial and hostile as the Russian winter, with a plethora of surprises lurking in the icy darkness.
Considering the peculiar spirit of some arrangements… perhaps distant kin to what one might have expected from early-90s Master’s Hammer? Or is that the bite of Laibach? Or even a scar left by the wildest era of Einstürzende Neubauten? Nonetheless, make no mistake here: experimental as it may be, we’re still talking fiercely unapologetic underground Black Metal. But one that acknowledges no limit in spirit. We are proud to release this album on EAL Productions.
Blackdeath regards “Also sprach das Chaos” as a play of sorts. The band commented:
‘The main song is actually the second one, "Im Labyrinth”. It’s a poetic description of an Anti-Cosmic mystery. The narrator, a dead man, performs the initiation rite - the ultimate goal of which is liberation from the laws of Cosmos. The first track, "Paralysiertes Äquinoktium" ("Paralyzed Equinox") is a kind of sequel which narrates the resulting cosmic collapse.’
Blackdeath are currently gearing up to enact their sinister tale on the road, once the world starts opening up again. After extensive touring and numerous festival dates since their live debut in 1997, this forced hiatus has left them hungrier than ever.
With “Only True Believers” (2003), Sweden’s Armagedda carved out a legacy in the black metal renaissance of the early 2000s. Building further on the “Under a Funeral Moon” (Darkthrone) worship of “The Final War Approaching” (2001), Armagedda cemented a foundation of their own. “Only True Believers” is a masterclass in the art of balance, merging the feverish, swinging rhythm of the relentless drumming – courtesy of Erik Danielsson of WATAIN – with evocative, dark melodies and rabid oration.
Roots of the whispering forest: Herbstklagen, the debut album of Waldgeflüster, is now available on LP for the first time. Gatefold jacket including double-coloured vinyl, limited to 300 copies.
Waldgeflüster was a one-man band back then – courtesy of Bavarian musician Winterherz - but this release contains a slew of guest musicians contributing percussion, piano, flutes, and horns. Pagan-oriented black metal unapologetically rooted in nature worship; this autumn-themed melancholic masterpiece was originally released on CD by Black Blood Records, a German label that remained Waldgeflüster’s home for the following two albums. The subsequent releases have been handled by Nordvis.
The 5th album from Denmark’s Of The Wand & The Moon. Again Kim Larsen takes another road than the previous albums. 60’s influenced, where the love for Lee Hazlewood and Serge Gainsbourg shines through. Still keeping the dark neofolk roots though, „The Lone Descent“ is without doubt the most bleak and melancholic album from Of The Wand & The Moon, and clearly shows Larsen’s brilliant talent as a singer/songwriter. Featuring among others ; Lorenzo Woodrose from Danish psychedelic rock act ‚Baby Woodrose‘, danish Cellist Soma Allpass (Mew, Martin Hall, etc.), trumpet player Bo Rande (The William Blakes, Mew, Blue Foundation), John Murphy (Death In June, Knifeladder, Nico, SPK), John van der Lieth (Sonne Hagal) Anne Eltard (known for various Danish acts and Kim Larsens Solanaceae, OTWATM) and :Of The Wand & The Moon: engineer Louise Nipper ‚Alouise‘. 2LP comes in glossy spotvarnished gatefold The vinyl edition also comes with an extra exclusive version of „A Pyre Of Black Sunflowers“. Features the artwork of Alex Rose.
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